Suspected rebels in cop uniforms ransack Rizal quarry site

SAN PEDRO CITY — A band of suspected communist rebels raided a quarry site and left damage to a private property in San Mateo, Rizal on Sunday night.

The Philippine Army and the local police on Monday said they were investigating the attack at the Monte Rock Corp. quarry site in Barangay Guitnang Bayan 2 that happened around 6 p.m. amid heavy downpour.

Captain Patrick Jay Retumban, spokesperson of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said pursuit operations continued to track down the rebel group.

According to a report from the San Mateo police, about 20 heavily-armed rebels attacked the quarry site and took security guards by “surprise.”

The rebels reportedly disarmed the guards and took away two shotguns and two .38 caliber guns before setting heavy equipment and some vehicles on fire.

“Some of them were wearing the police athletic uniform. About five of them were female,” Retumban said in a phone interview.

Authorities have yet to determine the cost of damage to the company’s property. No one was reported harmed in the incident.

According to the guards’ statement to the police, the rebels introduced themselves as members of the Narciso Antazo Aramil Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) before fleeing.

Meanwhile, Retumban said 10 former NPA rebels in Nasugbu, Batangas will take their “Oath of Allegiance” to the government after surrendering to soldiers last week.

He said the ceremony, set on Tuesday (August 14) in Tanauan City, Batangas, would also mark the launch of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program in Southern Luzon, a multi-agency project to give cash grants and assistance to rebel returnees.

Army officials in Southern Luzon claim the NPA is losing its strength in the region, contrary to rebels’ statement rejecting the local peace negotiations. /je