Cops say NPA torched road equipment as firm refused to pay extortion money

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - New People's Army (NPA) rebels torched in Singdagan town on Tuesday the heavy equipment of a construction firm working  on a bypass road that will connect the two provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur because the firm's owner refused to pay extortion money, according to police.

The police also identified NPA leader of the 20 rebels as Kumander Bambam as responsible in burning two bulldozers, a backhoe of the ESR Construction firm, and a Willis jeep of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Tuesday that halted the road project at sitio Gutay, Barangay Titik, Sindangan town.

The road project would connect Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte and Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Police Officer 3 Henrick Ferolino, who was investigating the case, disclosed that prior to the attack there was an alleged arrangement that the company would give in to the extortion demand of the rebels.

However, the rebels reportedly noticed presence of soldiers on the day of the collection of the extortion money and believed the construction firm reported the extortion plan of the rebels.

The rebels also asked for medicines from the contractor that would be dropped off at Josefina town, Zamboanga Del Sur at night time near the Saint Claire monastery.

As reprisal, the rebels burned the heavy equipment and jeep worth some P50.3 million Tuesday and forced the stoppage of the construction of the road.

The military and police have deployed their forces in the area to secure the road project, which the government said was essential to boost the economic activity in the Zamboanga peninsula. -  Roel Pareño