[wpgmappity id=”644″]
MANILA, Philippines – Six backhoes were burned by communist rebels during a raid in Misamis Oriental Sunday evening, the military said Monday.
About 10 members of the New People’s Army of the guerrilla front 4B burned the heavy equipment owned by Golden Horn Company and leased by Del Monte Philippines.
The attack took place at 7:50 p.m. in Kagumahan village in Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental, the construction site of the food company’s Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon expansion project , Army 4th Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Eugenio Osias IV said.
Rebels torched the equipment following the failure of Golden Horn Company and Del Monte Philippines to pay the “revolutionary taxes” of the NPA, the Army said.
Meanwhile, Golden Horn Company is still determining the cost of the damage with the help of the local police.
The incident caused the loss of jobs for the workers of the company, said Osias.
The Army 4ID together with the Philippine National Police are still conducting investigation on the incident while the perpetrators are being pursued by troops from 58th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. George Banzon.