Communist rebels torch 3 payloaders, dump truck in Surigao City

MANILA, Philippines—Three payloaders and a dump truck were torched early Thursday in Surigao City by suspected members of the New People’s Army, police said Friday.

The heavy equipment machines owned by City Homes Basic Crushing Plant in Barangay (village) Ipil, Surigao City were torched by about eight “fully armed men wearing fatigue uniforms” around 5:30 a.m., Caraga spokesman, Superintendent Martin Gamba said.

He said the group also disarmed the security guard on duty then fired several shots as they escaped towards Danao village in Surigao City.

Checkpoints were put up as authorities investigate the incident, Gamba said.