Reds attack Bicol airport construction site

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels detonated an improvised explosive device that destroyed a hauling truck being used in the construction of the Bicol International Airport in Barangay Gapo, Daraga, Albay at around 9:35 a.m. on Friday.

“Our reinforcement spotted the rebels as they fled,” Maj. Ricky Anthony Aguilar, 9th Infantry Division spokesman, told The STAR.

The Daraga police said the truck was owned by EM Cuerpo Builders Inc. based in Quezon City.

The bombing occurred in the wake of the announcement that the international airport would be fully operational at the latest by 2021.

On Sept. 28, 2017, NPA rebels burned several heavy equipment at the construction site.