NPA rebels burn tractor

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 28): NPA rebels burn tractor

The New People’s Army again went on a rampage and burned farm equipment Monday in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, after claiming responsibility earlier for the burning of a cargo truck in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

The four armed suspects, who introduced themselves as NPA members, torched the farm tractor owned Jorge Vargas in Hacienda Conchita, Brgy. Sag-ang, La Castellana.

Investigation of the La Castellana police showed that the farm tractor driven by Manuel Jamandre Jr. was flagged down by the four suspects, who were armed with .45 caliber and KG9mm automatic pistols.

Jamandre was ordered to get down from the tractor, and open the fuel tank, a police report said

The suspects poured gasoline on the driver’s seat and set it on fire. Not contented with that, they also lobbed a grenade at the tractor, the report added.

Chief Inspector Irma Teoxon, La Castellana police chief, yesterday said that the NPA suspects spared Jamandre from harm.

Investigation of the La Castellana police further showed that failure of the farm tractor owner to pay revolutionary taxes had triggered the burning incident.

The La Castellana police placed the estimated damage at P20,000.

The NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command also claimed responsibility for the burning last week of a cargo truck owned by Lito Alvillar in Brgy. Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

The burning of the cargo truck was also triggered by the refusal of Alvillar to pay revolutionary taxes, Lt. Col. Darrel Bañez, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said.

The rebels had also claimed several killings earlier in Moises Padilla and its neighboring towns and cities in central Negros.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/February/28/topstory4.htm