A member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), the civilian paramilitary unit of the Army, and another man were shot dead in Buenavista at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Militiaman Benedicto Melencion and Ceilo Paquibot, both residents of Barangay Puting Bato, Buenavista, were allegedly killed by a wanted man identified as Emedio Aparece Jr. of said village.

Based on police investigation, the victims were standing outside Paquibot’s residence when the gunman blasted several shots using a caliber 30 carbine rifle at both men.

Melencion and Paquibot were hit in various parts of their body causing their instantaneous death, police said.

According to Senior Insp. Benicer Tamboboy, chief of the Buenavista Police Station, the alleged gunman is also a suspect in three other murder cases in the town.

Tamboboy said that Melencion may have drawn the ire of Aparece as the militiaman was among men tasked to locate the latter due to the cases against him.

Aparace was tagged in the murders of barangay councilor Ursolo Petalcorin and barangay captain Antonio Neones Sr. on February 22, 2017 and September 2, 2016, respectively, Tamboboy added.

He is also a suspect in the killing of one Jessie Versaga on February 18. All three victims were residents of Barangay Puting Bato.

Tamboboy admitted that police are struggling in apprehending Aparece as the suspect reportedly hides in the town’s forest areas.

Several warrants of arrest have already been issued against the suspect, the police officer said. (Allen Doydora)