Police eye robbery in burning of banana plantation sprayer truck

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Armed men who identified themselves as communist rebels burned a boom truck used to spray bananas at a plantation owned by Dole-Stanfilco in South Cotabato, but police said they were also looking into the possibility the perpetrators were plain robbers.

The arson was carried out by at least eight men Monday night in the village of Rang-ay in Banga town, said South Cotabato provincial police director Senior Superintendent Jose Briones Jr., citing a field report from the police in Banga.

“Although the suspects introduced themselves as New People’s Army, we have to validate it because according to our witnesses their firearms and style were different,” Briones told reporters.

Briones said the gunmen flagged down the truck and ordered its driver, John Galvez, and his companion, Junie Labuen, to disembark and leave. Their personal belongings, wallet and mobile phones were taken.

The gunmen then poured gasoline on the vehicle, known among locals as “Martigani Sprayer,” and set it on fire.

Briones said that aside from involvement of the rebels, police were looking into the possibility the arson was related to a theft on October 5.

“We are also looking into the possibility that it was also connected to the earlier reported theft incident in Banga, wherein five personnel of Dole Stanfilco where caught stealing a container of chemical,” Briones said.