NPAs raid N. Cotabato banana farm

COTABATO CITY – The New People’s Army (NPA) has owned up to the burning of a chemical sprayer truck worth P5 million owned by a multinational banana firm in North Cotabato’s Makilala town yesterday. 

The Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command said at least 10 NPA rebels raided the DOLE-Stanfilco plantation in Sitio Kalapungot at around 2:30 a.m. and immediately set the vehicle on fire.

The rebels then poured gasoline and torched the other vehicles before fleeing to an unknown direction.

Col. Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said military intelligence agents are helping the police identify the NPA rebels involved. 

The NPA is reportedly demanding monthly “protection money” from the firm, which exports Cavendish bananas to Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

The management of the farm was also reported to have received threats from the communist insurgents operating in the area.

The NPAs had burned some P30 million worth of farm and construction equipment owned by various companies in North Cotabato since 2010.

– With Edith Regaladao