Worker killed as rebels raid rubber plant

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Suspected communist rebels killed a worker of a rubber tree plantation and wounded two others with a roadside bomb after setting on fire the firm’s processing plant in Makilala town on Sunday.

Hector Lalaguna and his co-workers, Francisco Andap and Francisco Manliquez, were in a truck when the front tires of the vehicle hit the bomb’s tripwire, setting it off.

The victims were on their way to check what they thought was an accidental fire that hit the Standard Rubber Development Corp. in Barangay Talun-Talunan.

Local officials said the firm has refused to pay protection money to the New People’s Army (NPA).

The Makilala police said the rebels behind Sunday’s attack in Barangay Talun-Talunan belong to the group’s Guerrilla Front 72. The unit is led by Felix Armodia, also known as Commander Jing, who is wanted for various offense, including armed robbery, arson, and multiple murder. â€“ John Unson, Roel Pareño, Edith Regalado, Alexis Romero