Rebels destroy heavy equipment

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 26, 2022): Rebels destroy heavy equipment (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

An estimated 30 suspected New People’s Army rebels destroyed heavy equipment using an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) on Thursday night in Sitio Cagay, Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.

PLt. Abegael Donasco, deputy spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, yesterday said that about 30 to 50 armed men in civilian clothes arrived at the construction site at about 7 p.m. of March 24 at the place.

Donasco said the armed men ordered the construction workers and operators of heavy equipment and trucks to vacate the area.

A loud explosion was later heard by the workers after the armed group left the construction site.

Upon checking the backhoe, its hydraulic system was damaged, Donasco said.

The destroyed backhoe is owned by Jaime B. Ching construction firm.

PMaj. James Latayon, Sipalay City police officer-in-charge, yesterday said that the armed men spared the workers and operator of the destroyed heavy equipment from harm.

The heavy equipment was parked along the highway of a constructed road.

The estimated damage and motive of the incident was yet to be established by authorities as of press time.

The latest atrocities perpetrated by alleged rebels came a week after a backhoe was torched in Sitio Nandong, Brgy. Orong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, after its owner refused to pay revolutionary taxes, according to the police.

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