BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) torched two heavy equipment in Purok Magboto, Barangay Cabi-an, Candoni, Negros Occidental.
Candoni police chief, Police Major Ronald Santillan, said based prior to the arson attack on Saturday night, Nov. 5, one of the alleged rebels was heard saying, “katig-a sang ulo sang amo niyo”.
The rebels broke the windshield and torched the backhoe and road roller – valued at around P12 million – owned by Silver Dragon Construction Incorporated.
Police said they were not able to respond immediately as the road leading to Purok Magboto was difficult to access.
There were concerns, too, that the NPA might be setting up an ambush against responding government forces.
Instead, the police conducted checkpoints together with the Philippine Army.
The police were only able to access the area at daybreak and after securing clearance from the Army.
Candoni police believed the arson attack stemmed over the company’s refusal to pay revolutionary taxes./PN
