Rebels torch banana farm equipment

MANILA, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas stormed a banana plantation and torched three mobile spray tankers in Surallah, South Cotabato on Thursday  night.

The rebels arrived at the equipment depot of the Sumifru plantation in Barangay Lamian at past 10 p.m., according to town police chief Inspector Joel Fuerte.

At gunpoint, the men ordered plantation workers to leave  before pouring gasoline on the equipment.

Fuerte said no one among the workers was harmed.