Military kills lawless element who attacked North Cotabato banana plantation

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14): Military kills lawless element who attacked North Cotabato banana plantation

Responding troopers from the 39th Infantry Battalion have shot and killed a member of the lawless group who attacked the Delinanas Banana Plantation in Sitio Pedtad, Barangay Dugos, Tulunan, North Cotabato Sunday morning.

The incident took place around 10:30 a.m., said Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman.

He added that the attack was spearheaded by Sukarno Sultan and Lingguna Sultan.

The group succeeded in destroying two backhoes before troopers from the 39th Infantry Battalion arrived and succeeded in killing one of the bandits during an hour-long fire.

Also seized during the operation was an AK-47 automatic rifle.

Caber said civilians in the area revealed that extortion aggravated by a land dispute is the possible motive for the attack.

The Philippine National Police is now investigating the case.

The P659 million Delinanas Development Corp. is a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce Philippines, Inc.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=662494