Reds kill DENR employee, burn heavy equipment

MANILA, Philippines —    An employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was found dead at an environmental protection task force office in Barangay Sindon Bayabo in Ilagan City, Isabela on Friday.

Probers said the body of Celso Asuncion, 58, bore multiple gunshot wounds.

Lt. Col. Chievalier Iringan, Cagayan Valley police spokesman, said they received reports that members of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Southern Front Committee were behind Asuncion’s murder.

In Surigao del Norte, police said suspected NPA guerrillas burned heavy equipment owned by a private firm involved in a road project in Barangay Tagbayani, Sison.

Meanwhile, Col. Adonis Bajao of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade said a commander, squad leader and medic of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 71 operating in Sarangani and Davao Occidental recently surrendered and turned over their guns.