NPA rebels posing as soldiers torch truck in Bukidnon

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) rebels disguised as military troops burned a prime mover truck in Kitaotao, Bukidnon early Wednesday morning, a military official said.

According to Captain Eduardo Meclat, spokesperson of the Army’s 403rd Brigade, around 30 rebels posing as government soldiers set up a bogus checkpoint in Sitio (sub-village) Maluos, Sinuda village using a signboard with the logo of the 23rd Infantry Battalion.

As the truck approached the fake checkpoint at around 1:30 a.m., the impostors flagged down the vehicle and ordered its passengers to get out.

The rebels proceeded to set the truck ablaze then fled the scene.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

The truck is owned by JY Trucking which provides transport services to Sumifru Corp., a Japanese company that operates banana plantations in the area.

Meclat said pursuit operations by the Philippine National Police and Army are ongoing.

In July last year, NPA rebels also stopped a vehicle convoy of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology bringing prisoners from Ozamiz City to the Davao Penal Colony.

The rebels freed a comrade and took captive four jail officials, whom they later released.