NPA rebels torch delivery van in Sarangani

COTABATO CITY – Suspected members of communist New People’s Army torched a delivery panel in Malapatan, Sarangani on Monday morning.

Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzales, speaking for the police in Central Mindanao, said about five armed men flagged down the Mitsubishi “wing van” loaded with various merchandize in Barangay Tuyan at past 9 a.m.

The delivery van, owned by Koronadal Malls of GenSan, was driven by Ronald Sanchez, 40 of General Santos City.

Sanchez told police investigators he and his five truck helpers – Mijares Bahinting, 22, Palate Jerolyn, 29, Lea Quirante, 34, Virgil Alvarado, 26, and Julieto Saband, 23 – were ordered to alight.

Sanchez said five men, armed with hand guns and two long firearms, introduced themselves as members of the NPA while men in black uniform poured gasoline on the vehicle and set it ablaze.

Gonzales said the van was loaded with sugar, rice, noodles, bottled mineral water and other assorted goods.

“The total cost of the vehicle and the merchandize was estimated to be at P2.5 million,” Gonzales told the Inquirer by phone.

The attackers then fled toward the forest of Barangay Tuyan.