1 rubber plantation worker killed, 2 others hurt in Makilala town blast

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Communist rebels on Sunday killed a worker of a rubber tree plantation and wounded another using a roadside bomb after setting on fire the firm’s multi-million processing plant in Makilala town.

The fatality, Hector Lalaguna, and his injured co-workers, Francisco Andap and Francisco Manliquez, were on board a light truck rushing to check on what they thought was an accidental fire that hit the processing plant of the Standard Rubber Development Corp. in Barangay Talun-Talunan when the front tires of their vehicle hit a tripwire connected to the bomb, setting it off.

The New People’s Army guerrillas that rigged the IED that killed Lalaguna and injured Andap burned, about ten minutes before, the processing plant of the firm employing the two plantation workers using kerosene and dried coconut palms.

Local officials said the management of the rubber tree plantation has been refusing to pay the NPAs protection money.

The Makilala police said the NPAs behind Sunday’s attack at Barangay Talun-Talunan belong to the group’s Guerrilla Front 72.

The NPA’s Front 72 is led by Felix Armodia, also known as Commander Jing, who is wanted for various offenses, including armed robbery, more than 20 arson cases, and multiple murders.  - John Unson