‘Spare Caraga infra projects from attacks’

BUTUAN CITY — Chief Superintendent Alberto Rama Olario, Caraga police director, appealed to the New People’s Army (NPA) yesterday to spare infrastructure projects from attacks which, he said, are "counter-productive."

Olario said rebel attacks on the equipment of contractors building roads, school buildings and other expensive infrastructure, supposedly over the companies’ failure to pay "revolutionary taxes," unduly burden the ordinary folk who badly need these facilities.

"While it is true that the Caraga region still holds the distinction of being the most peaceful region in Mindanao, sporadic and surprise attacks by our brother NPAs on civilian targets have brought more harm than good to the region’s striving economy," said Olario, head of Task Force Caraga.

Olario issued the appeal following last Monday’s burning of the equipment of the Pascual Construction firm doing road rehabilitation work in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

The rebel raiders also killed Barangay Cuyago chairman Florante Ocmen, who they snatched while fleeing.

Meanwhile, Olario said the NPA had nothing to do with the burning of the central nursery of Picop Resources Inc. in Bislig City and the killing of a security guard and two Picop workers.

Earlier, Olario wrote the local NPA leadership, through National Democratic Front spokesman for Mindanao George Madlos who hails from Caraga, seeking a dialogue to discuss rules of engagement.

But Madlos replied that such a discussion of rules of engagement between rebel and military forces should be made on the national level.

Olario’s appeal coincided with yesterday’s conclusion of the three-day 9th Caraga Business Conference here.