MANILA, Philippines - Suspected communist rebels burned heavy equipment of a private construction firm in Barangay Gumaos in Paracale, Camarines Norte Tuesday afternoon, the military reported yesterday.
Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion, said two pay loaders, a backhoe and a road roller owned by by Varin Construction Co. were destroyed.
“They took advantage of the SOMO (suspension of military operations) by attacking unarmed civilians and a government project,” Aguilar said, adding he ordered the deployment of soldiers to secure the area.
He said the firm’s management reportedly refused to give in to the rebels’ extortion demands. – Jaime Laude, Francis Elevado