Suspected NPA members storm resort, burn staff house in Batangas town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 30): Suspected NPA members storm resort, burn staff house in Batangas town

Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) stormed the security detachment of Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI) offsite office compound at Hamilo Coast, Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu, Batangas Sunday evening.

In a report reaching the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A, Batangas Provincial Police Office Director Senior Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag said some 30 suspected NPA members clad in Philippine Air Force (PAF) uniforms and in full battle gear stormed the detachment of CDHI, in-charge of securing Pico de Loro Resort at 7:35 p.m. Sunday and burned the staff house and the driver’s quarter.

He said the armed men gained entry to the resort by posing as escorts of a woman introducing herself as inspector of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

They then disarmed the security personnel, ransacked the building and torched the staff house and the driver’s quarter.

The armed men commandeered a Silver Toyota HiAce, with plate number YZ0620), a Maroon Mercedes-Benz with plate number UTW433 and a Green Mercedes-Benz with plate number UNU800 and fled through the resort’s back gate.

The three vehicles were found abandoned at sub-village Damulag, Latag Village in Nasugbu town at 3:00 a.m. Monday.

No one was hurt from the incident.

Retired Rear Admiral Antonio Habulan, assistant vice president for security of CDHI said they are cooperating with the town’s police personnel which are investigating the case.

Habulan said their main concern at the moment is the safety of their personnel.

"CDHI remains alert and are fully committed to the utmost security and well-being of our people at all times," Habulan said.

The Pico de Loro was visited on Jan. 19 by 16 Miss Universe candidates along with then Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who were transported by a yacht from Manila for their glam photo shoots and beach-side cultural reception.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=959498