1 dead, 3 hurt in NPA attack on Del Monte compound

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon — A security guard was killed while three others, including a civilian, were wounded when armed men believed to be New People’s Army rebels stormed the compound of a multinational firm here at around 6:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Capt. Christian Uy of the military’s 4th Infantry Division confirmed the NPA attack on the Del Monte Phiilippines Compound, also known as Camp Philips.

Dr. Taruc Larson, resident physician at the Camp Philips Memorial Hospital, identified the slain security guard as Nerry Alfredo.

Wounded were security guards Jofol Sumawan and Franklin Millanes, and civilian Mario Ayuban.

Lolo Ocena, an employee of Del Monte Philippines, said around 30 men arrived in two elf trucks and proceeded to the trucking compound where they poured gasoline on at least three units that were parked inside.  The trucks were immediately set on fire.

Ocena, who was driving from work in a motorcycle with two other co-workers, said that he was blocked by some members of the group, as he was passing by the trucking compound.

“The armed men did not identify who they were but they instructed us to park on the side.  They said that we should not worry because they would not harm us,” he said.

Reports reaching the 8th Infantry Battalion revealed that armed men also fired their guns in Atugan Bridge in Malaybalay City at the time the raid on the Del Monte Compound was being conducted.