BY MAE SINGUAY & DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A backhoe was torched in Hacienda San Juan Del Monte, Purok Narra, Barangay Malingin, Bago City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Feb. 4.
It was owned by businessman Jorge Sian of Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.
According to a joint investigation by the Bago City police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), caretaker Sonny Flores and checker Joenel Destro left the heavy equipment around 6:30 p.m. to buy food in a nearby store.
Authorities received a call from Flores and Destro at around 8:30 p.m., reporting the fire.
They also told the authorities they had not received any threats before the incident.
No suspects have so far been identified.
The estimated damage to the backhoe reached a million pesos.
Bago City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, meanwhile, disclosed that the backhoe was for quarrying.
Further investigation is ongoing.
On Nov. 5, 2022, two heavy equipment were torched in Purok Magboto, Barangay Cabi-an, Candoni, Negros Occidental by suspected members of the New People’s Army.
The P12-million backhoe and road roller was owned by Silver Dragon Construction Incorporated./PN
