- GILBERT BAYORAN
Suspected New People’s Army rebels burned two heavy equipment owned by a private construction firm Nov. 5 in Brgy. Cabia-an, Candoni, Negros Occidental.
P/Maj. Ronald Santillan, Candoni police chief, yesterday said that about 10 suspected NPA rebels, armed with high-powered firearms, swooped down on a site in Sitio Magboto in the barangay, where a bridge was being constructed.
Santillan said the armed rebels set on fire a back hoe and a road roller, owned by the Silver Dragon Construction firm, but its five employees were spared from harm.
Estimated damage has been placed by authorities at P12 million.
Santillan said they are looking into extortion as motive for the arson, as one of the armed suspects told the private firm employees that their employer is “hardheaded”. | GB
