'Reds' burn jeepney after driver refused to pay for protection

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines  — Authorities tightened security in Barangay San Roque here following Monday's burning of a passenger jeep by guerillas of the New People's Army after its owner refused to shell out "protection money."

The arson suspects, disguised as passengers and armed with pistols, ordered the driver, Rey Cano, to pull over, herded passengers at one side of the road connecting Barangay San Roque to the city proper and burned the vehicle using kerosene from containers kept in their bags.

The gunmen introduced themselves as members of the New People's Army and told the beleaguered passengers the arson attack was a consequence of the vehicle owner's having refused to shell out "protection money" on a regular basis.

Cano said the owner of the jeepney he worked for has persistently been rejecting monetary demands of the NPA.

Cano said the gunmen escaped towards a nearby banana plantation when they sensed that responding barangay officials and community watchmen were closing in.