NPA rebels burn equipment for dam project

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Communist rebels have claimed responsibility for burning heavy equipment and construction materials at a dam project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Damage due to the fire that destroyed a backhoe, a generator set, water pumps and the bunkhouse of workers was estimated at P6.8 million.

Around 20 suspected NPA rebels attacked the project site in Barangay Tan-awan on Monday.

Capt. Ruel Llanes, 303rd Infantry Brigade spokesman, said the NIA contractor reportedly ignored the extortion demands of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area.

Meanwhile, charges were filed against more than 20 NPA guerrillas in connection with the roadside bombing in Baleno, Masbate on Saturday that left five police officers wounded.

The bombs were planted a few days before the incident, according to a tracking team of the 2nd Infantry Battalion.