NPAs raid banana firm's HQ in Compostela

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels stormed the headquarters and torched equipment of a Japanese-owned banana plantation in Laak, Compostela Valley early yesterday morning.

Police said more than 25 insurgents attacked the banana farm of Sumifru Corp. in Barangay Kapatagan, Laak town at around 4:20 a.m. yesterday and burned two water tankers, a generator set and the radio room.

The guerrillas also carted away three shotguns and four caliber .38 revolvers and fled using the company’s Elf truck, police said.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, condemned the attack as a dastardly act of the NPA.

“The civilian population should not be attacked and they should be protected at all times from all forms of destruction. The vicinity of the Sumifru plant is not a military camp to make it a target,” Paniza said.

“The attack clearly shows that the NPA is a terrorist group. It was an act of economic sabotage,” he added.

Police and military units have launched a manhunt for the rebel attackers.

Recently, NPA guerrillas raided and torched equipment of three mining companies in Claver, Surigao del Norte.