Rebels torched equipment of mining firm in Agusan Del Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6): Rebels torched equipment of mining firm in Agusan Del Norte

New People's Army (NPA) fighters burned and destroyed the equipment of a mining firm in Barangay Tagmamarkay, Tubay town, Agusan Del Norte Saturday morning.

Torched in the unprovoked rebel attack were four dump trucks, two backhoes and two bulldozers owned by the Alston Mining Company, 1st Lt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, 42nd Civil-Military Operations Company commander, said in a belated report Sunday.

He added that this took place around 1 a.m.

Martinez said that the NPAs assaulted the compound of the Alston Mining Company in Tubay town and disarmed the duty guards of their weapons.

After burning the mining equipment, the rebels quickly escaped.

Martinez said that the attack stemmed from the company's refusal to give in to the extortion demands of the rebels.

He added that the NPA is targeting "soft targets" as the rebels are now having difficulty in attacking military and police outposts in the area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=632995