4 hitchhikers hurt in North Upi ambush

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Four hitchhikers were seriously wounded when unidentified men fired at the logging truck they were riding in in North Upi, Maguindanao yesterday.

The victims — Reynerio Chua, William Ditros, Bernalyn Minted and Babylin Tiburcio — are now confined at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, civil-military relations officer of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the victims were bound for Barangay Rente, a hinterland area in North Upi, when they were ambushed.

Ethnic Tedurays in North Upi have long been opposing all logging operations in the town.

About two years ago, a fuel lorry of a logging company in North Upi was set on fire. — John Unson