NPA rebels torch two heavy equipment in Catanduanes

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels burned two heavy equipment in San Miguel, Catanduanes, on Wednesday afternoon, the spokesperson of the Bicol police said.

Inspector Malou Calubaquid, Bicol police spokesperson, said at least five communist rebels swooped down and torched two units of backhoe heavy equipment, that were parked at a roadside in Sitio Ugaw, Barangay Sulong, at 1 p.m.

She said the rebels poured gasoline on the equipment owned by the Sun West Corp., a construction firm implementing a road opening project in the village, around 15.7 kilometers from Virac, the capital town of Catanduanes.

The NPA rebels did not harm the heavy equipment operator and other workers who were having a lunch break when the attack occurred.

Police records showed the burning of the equipment was the second such case since 2010 when several heavy equipment from Sun West were torched in the course of construction work for a government circumferential road project in Catanduanes.