Armed men torch heavy equipment in Zamboanga del Sur town

Personnel from the Tambulig local government examines a burnt bulldozer. Photo by MDRRMO Tambulig

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur –– At least four heavy equipment were torched by armed men on Monday evening in Barangay Lower Liason of Tambulig town, Zamboanga del Sur province.

The equipment burned were a bulldozer, two backhoes, and one water tanker, which were owned by CODP Construction, according to Nilo Muñoz, Tambulig Disaster Risk Reduction, and Management Action Officer.

The Philippine Army tagged the armed men as belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA).

Major Clint Antipala, public affairs officer of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said some 10 NPA rebels carried out the burning around 8:45 p.m.

Antipala said troops have been pursuing leads on where the rebels escaped after torching the equipment.

Major General Gene Ponio, 1ID commander, condemned the NPA’s action, reminding residents and contractors to report any threats or intimidations so they could quell them.

“We will be relentless and pursue the perpetrator who continuously hampers the peace and development of the communities in our area of responsibility,” Ponio said./lzb

Personnel from the Tambulig local government examines a burnt backhoe. Photo by MDRRMO Tambulig