ILIGAN CITY — Police said they intercepted a stock of food meant for communist rebels in a village in Talakag town, Bukidnon province, early on Sunday.
Officials said members of the Philippine National Police Regional Mobile Force saw rebels burying a stock of rice, sugar, salt and mung beans, while they were on patrol in
the area.
At least 40 containers were seized and believed to be intended for a New People’s Army (NPA) camp, said Senior Insp. Paul Cubil, head of the 1004th Mobile Company of the PNP’s mobile force.
Cubil said police were tipped off about the rebel food stock “which we believe came from NPA extortion activities.”
“This only shows the growing distrust of the community” against rebels, Cubil said.
Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb, regional PNP director, said the case showed the key role that civilians play in the counterinsurgency campaign.
“The support of the community is indispensable,” Pacleb said. —Divina M. Suson