Rebels torch construction equipment in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army guerrillas burned a dump truck and a backhoe being used in the construction of a road in Cauayan town in Negros Occidental Monday night, police said yesterday.

Superintendent German Garbosa, chief of the Cauayan police, said the rebels torched the construction equipment in  Sitio Buta, Barangay Caliling at around 7:30 p.m. while the drivers and workers were sleeping.

He said the owner of the heavy equipment, HLJ Co., has been building a one-kilometer road in Sitio Buta for almost a month now.

Col. Allan Martin, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said they have heightened security in the area following the attack.