Soldiers deployed to secure gov’t road project in Sarangani

Soldiers are now guarding road construction equipment in Maasim, Sarangani after a failed attack by communist rebels who demanded ‘protection money’ from its contractor. —6TH INFANTRY DIVISION

COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao, Philippines — The Philippine Army has deployed troops to secure a government road project in Sarangani province after soldiers on foot patrol foiled an attempt by communist rebels to burn construction equipment last Wednesday, a military official said.

Lt. Col. Allen Van Estrera, commander of the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers were now guarding the project in Barangay Bales of Maasim town to ensure its uninterrupted work.

According to Estrera, the company contracted to undertake the project received a demand from the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the area for “protection money.”

When it refused to give in, the NPA guerrillas threatened to exact “punishment” on the construction firm, Estrera explained.

On Wednesday, soldiers on foot patrol foiled a group of 10 armed men who were carrying containers of gasoline as they approached a parked backhoe and several dump trucks of Cherifer Builders at around 7 p.m.

A brief battle ensued before the armed men fled, Estrera said.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, commander of Joint Task Force Central, said the military would not allow the communist rebels any chance to launch attacks to disrupt the government projects vital to the development in the area.

“Our troops are continuously on heightened alert to provide for the needed security on our government projects prone to terrorist attacks,” Carreon said.

/atm