NPAs torch equipment, kidnap community watchman

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas burned on Sunday night costly road-building equipment in an arson attack in Kidapawan City and abducted a community watchman as they escaped.

The attack occurred just hours after another group of NPAs set off a roadside bomb in Barangay Balite in North Cotabato’s hinterland Magpet town, leaving an Army officer, 1Lt. Nash Sema, of the 57th Infantry Battalion, and his enlisted subordinate injured.

In a statement, the provincial police said more than 10 NPAs arrived at the machinery depot of the Jargon Construction Company in Barangay Mua-an, an interior district in Kidapawan City, and set on fire more than P10 million worth of equipment using gasoline and torches.

Investigators said the barangay chair of Mua-an, Acer Perez, has confirmed that the NPAs took with them a barangay tanod named Tata Cardion as they fled riding motorcycles.

The construction firm is engaged in a road-construction project in Barangay Mua-an.

Lt. Col. Noli Vinluan, commanding officer of 57th IB, which has jurisdiction over Kidapawan City and nearby hinterland towns, said the NPAs have been harassing the construction firm for its persistent rejection of demands for “protection money.”