NPA rebels torch Dole tractor in SCotabato

MANILA, Philippines - Communist rebels have torched a tractor of Dole Philippines in South Cotabato and have killed a soldier in Masbate, military officials said Wednesday.

Cpt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, said the insurgents burned the Dole tractor in Sitio de Asis, Barangay Afus in T’boli town Tuesday at around 4 p.m.

He said the driver, identified as Fidel Taton, was held at gunpoint by three masked men who identified themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The armed men reportedly told Taton that Dole did not heed their extortion demands.

“The security officer of Dole Philippines said that they have not received any extortion demands,” Caber said.

The burned tractor, Caber claimed, was worth around P5 million.

“This is another gross violation of the CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law) by the NPA,” Caber said.

Army and police forces are now conducting operations against the insurgents.

Meanwhile, a soldier who was about to go to market was killed Wednesday by suspected NPA assassins in Uson, Masbate.

A report by the Army’s 9th division said the soldier, identified as Pfc. Arjay Barbin, was shot dead by four members of the Special Partisan Unit at around 6:30 a.m.

Members of the 93rd Division Reconnaissance Company are now pursuing the rebels.