Rebels burn heavy equipment in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Ten suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels set on fire three heavy equipment units in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday night.

Police investigators said the torched heavy equipment, a backhoe and two dump trucks worth P9 million, were owned by Carabalan barangay chairman Mildred Titular.

A caretaker said the rebels spared his life as they withdrew from the place.

Earlier, the NPA’s Romeo Nanta Command issued a statement claiming responsibility for the killing of Jesmer Pacunla in Sitio Kasipongan. The group claimed that Pacunla was a military asset.