BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA)rebels burned five trucks used in hauling logs in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur before midnight on Friday.
Col. Alexander Macario, 401st Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said businessmen Wilbert Gonzales, Danny Gravino and Ricky Villarente of Prosperidad town owned the trucks.
The burning of the trucks was reportedly due to the refusal of the businessmen to pay the full amount of the so-called “revolutionary tax” of the NPA.
Capt. Jasper Gacayan, 401st IB spokesman, said pursuit operations for the rebels have been launched.