Reds burn North Cotabato day care center

MANILA, Philippines — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels torched a day care center in Magpet, North Cotabato yesterday.

Lt. Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, 19th Infantry Battalion commander, said around 25 NPA guerrillas managed to enter Purok 6, Barangay Mahongcog at around 8 a.m. after they  introduced themselves as personnel of the 39th IB.

“The rebels, who were wearing Army uniforms, tied the teacher and seized her identification card before setting the day care center on fire,” Paraso said in his report.

The report did not mention if there were children present during the attack.

Prior to the incident, Paraso said communist rebels tried to extort P50,000 in cash from the residents.