Suspected NPA rebels torch trader’s 2 vehicles in Davao Oriental

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – Suspected communist rebels burned two vehicles in Davao Oriental on Saturday evening, in the latest arson attacks by insurgents in southern Mindanao, military and police officials on Sunday said.

An estimated 50 heavily armed New People’s Army guerrillas torched a Delica van and a Saddam-type truck at Sitio (Sub-village) Mangway, Barangay (village) Pintatagan, in Banaybanay town around 7 p.m., according to Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command.

Caber said the vehicles were owned by one Ronaldo Mangosong “who was saddened by the incident as these (the trucks) were his means of livelihood.”

No one was hurt during the incident, Caber said, adding an investigation was now conducted by Banaybanay police.

Based on reports from civilians, the rebels were led by a certain Bansai/Pakat of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

On Thursday, communist rebels also burned four units of heavy equipment used for a housing program for typhoon survivors in Compostela town, in nearby Compostela Valley province.

Following the latest attack, all police units in the two provinces have been alerted and directed to take appropriate action to prevent other attacks, said Supt. Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of Southern Mindanao regional police.