NPA atrocities continue to hound banana industry

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): NPA atrocities continue to hound banana industry

The banana industry continues to face atrocities perpetrated by the armed New People’s Army (NPA) after it burned another equipment of a top banana producer.

An army report revealed a portable banana processor of the DOLE Philippines, Inc. was torched by alleged members of the NPA in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Casisang, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Friday.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, the spokesperson of 4th Infantry Division, said Sunday, the DOLE packing plant was burned down by an undetermined number of NPA rebels belonging to Guerilla Front Committee 68, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCRMC).

Martinez said the incident shows another gross violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which is the only document that was signed and agreed upon by both the Philippine government and National Democratic Front including the CPP and NPA in 1998 that clearly states that civilians and together with their properties should not be an object of attack.

Capt. Norman Tagros, the civil-military operations officer of 403rd Infantry Brigade, said there are around 50 workers affected. He said they are looking into extortion as the possible motive of the burning. Upon further investigation, the estimated damage cost has reached PHP700,000.

“What we are more concerned about also is the impact of such atrocities on the workers who are working and depending on DOLE for their daily income,” Tagros said. “We also learned just this morning that around 50 workers are directly affected by the incident. We hope they will not lose their job,” he added.

“As we continue to conduct investigation, we are urging the public and the local government and barangay (village) officials to perform their duties and cooperate with the authorities to maintain peace and security in the area,” the military officer said.

Earlier, the banana industry stakeholders voiced concern that the continued raids by lawless elements in banana plantations have further negatively impact on the industry’s sustainability as the country’s top export trade.

Ferdinand Marañon, president of PhilExport, said the industry is losing billions. One company alone last year lost billions when the NPA attacked its box plant in Davao City and the plastic plant in Panabo. The company, Lapanday Foods Corporation, has since then closed the two companies.

Marañon also cited the burning of about nine trucks in another banana plantation in Agusan del Sur. He said one truck already costs more than PHP1 million pesos while refrigerated container costs PHP2 to 5 million pesos.

“We are afraid that the investments of multinational companies will be pulled-out as it would be beyond their means to cope,” Marañon said, voicing concerns that if banana firms give in to demands of lawless groups, who force businesses to give revolutionary taxes, could cost them more money.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1014865