By Joseph Jubelag
KORONADAL CITY – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels torched a fleet of heavy equipment owned by a private contractor in a hinterland village in T’boli town last Monday, June 15.
(Photo via Joseph Jubelag / MANILA BULLETIN)
South Cotabato Police Director Col. Jemuel Siason said four armed suspects believed to be members of NPA-Guerilla Front 72 set on fire heavy equipment consisting of a pay loader, back hoe and dump truck owned by Gemma Construction Corporation at a quarry site in Barangay Edwards in T’boli town at about 3 p.m. Monday.
Police said the suspects reportedly ordered the heavy equipment operators to leave before they poured gasoline and set the equipment on fire.
Authorities placed the damage at P20 million.
Police said the suspects told the operators that they will not be harmed as they only wanted to burn the equipment because the contractor was indebted to them.
Police said the contractor could have earned the ire of the rebel group for failing to pay revolutionary taxes.