Solon: Sabotage by political foes, not by NPA

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – The burning of heavy equipment in a DPWH project site along Himampangon Road at Manjuyod town last week was an act of economic sabotage by people who never care about development in Negros Oriental.

This was the statement of Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st district, Negros Or), in reaction to the torching of the contractor’s heavy equipment by perpetrators who she believed were not from the New People’s Army, but from political enemies.

The NPA could not be behind the attack because she carried out development projects in the district, Limkaichong told The Freeman.

In an interview, she said the sabotage was political in nature. “What’s even worse and extremely dangerous is when these senseless people gain power in government.”

Police and the military authorities in the province have been jointly investigating the incident to identify the culprits and their mastermind behind the destruction of the heavy equipment, owned by LL Construction, a company owned by the congresswoman’s husband.

Limkaichong said the plot, if intended as a “psychological warfare” to scare her off, was miscalculated as the “ripple effects” of the attack has affected the province, the people and the peace and order of Negros Oriental.

“An unstable peace and order in Negros Oriental would be a deterrent to inviting prospective investors to the province, she said.

Police provincial director Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza meanwhile assured the congresswoman that the police will do its best to arrest the suspects. He also asked the construction firm to employ security guards to prevent a repeat of Friday’s attack. (FREEMAN)