Armed men police say were NPA rebs attack town mayor’s firm

DUMAGUETE CITY—Suspected communist rebels on Friday attacked a construction firm owned by a mayor, setting fire to the firm’s heavy equipment in a remote Negros Oriental town.

The suspects destroyed a backhoe, crane, dump trucks and a bulldozer owned by LL Construction in a village in Manjuyod, about 65 kilometers north of here. LL is owned by Lawrence Limkaichong, mayor of La Libertad town and husband of Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the first district.

Police said the suspects were communist rebels, although a military officer in the province said it was too early to tell.

Representative Limkaichong refused to attribute the attack to any group but said it was apparently meant to discourage investments in Negros Oriental.

The attack started 1 a.m. Friday. Three men fired warning shots and torched heavy equipment. Police quoted witnesses as saying they heard the men shout “Long Live the NPA.”

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, head of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, said he won’t conclude that it was an NPA attack until the rebels claim responsibility. The attack followed a bigger one launched by rebels on a mining site in Surigao del Sur.