The military said the victims were on their way to the town proper when the rebels blocked their route in Barangay Malapag and at gunpoint, divested them of their cash and valuables.
Army 6th Infantry commander Maj. Gen. Generoso Senga said they are still verifying the identities of the victims who were hogtied by the rebels inside the truck before torching it down with kerosene and dried coconut leaves.
The rebels reportedly cheered as they left making sure that their victims were burned inside, Senga said.
The incident came a week after MILF rebels gunned down a truck driver and his helper in the same area.
The Muslim rebels continued their offensive as they reportedly kidnapped two farmers in the outskirts of Tupi town in North Cotabato early yesterday, military spokesman Maj. Julieto Ando said.
"We still don’t know what happened to them, but soldiers are searching for them," Ando said.
Ando said the rebels may have abducted the farmers for refusing to pay extortion demands. – With Jose Rodel Clapano