AFP goes after NPA attackers in Negros

MANILA, Philippines - The military has alerted its elite forces and established blockades in Negros Occidental to pursue suspected insurgents who attacked a facility of sugar refiner Victorias Milling Co. Inc. last Tuesday.

In a statement, 1Lt. Mark Posadas, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said the 2nd Scout Ranger Company has been mobilized to run after the attackers.

He added that the detachments of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) have blocked the possible escape routes of the rebels.

“The 2nd Scout Ranger Company was immediately mobilized to conduct pursuit operations and is still currently in the area pursuing the terrorists… The 303rd Infantry Brigade reported that more troops will be sent to northern Negros to run after these perpetrators,” Posadas said.  

“Nearby CAFGU detachments established blocking positions along the possible escape routes,” he added.

The Negros Occidental police said some 50 suspected rebels burned the electric transformer of the Malogo pump house owned by Victorias Milling at Hacienda Sta. Cruz in Victorias City. Victoria’s Milling is said to be the largest sugar refiner in the country.  

The pump house is used by Victorias Milling during the dry season to pump water coming from the river for the use of the sugar mill. 

The attackers reportedly disarmed the security guards, took their handheld transceiver radios and fired at another electric transformer which resulted in damage estimated at P600,000.

Recovered from the scene were 11 empty shells of caliber 5.56 mm and three gasoline container cups.

The attackers reportedly established an ambush position along the route to waylay troops who would chase them. 

The military believes that the attack is related to the New People’s Army’s (NPA) extortion activities.  

“This act of sabotage was designed to send a stern warning to Victorias Milling for refusing to give in to their extortion especially now that the milling season is about to start,” said Col. Jonas Sumagaysay, 303rd IB chief.  

“This latest atrocity committed by the NPAs is an attack against (Victoria Milling’s) workers and the local economy,” he said. 

Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, chief of the Armed Forces Central Command, called the attack a “desperate act.”

“The NPAs have resorted to hitting soft targets that are incapable of defending itself. The demand of the NPAs for extortion money shows that they are desperate and no longer enjoy the support of the people of Negros,” Villanueva said in a statement.  

“This atrocity is a desperate act of the NPAs in the Visayas region,” he added.