DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA)guerrillas torched several construction equipment in separate areas in Davao City in the past two days.
The guerrillas first stormed the hinterland barangay of Callawa in Buhangin district before midnight on Saturday, and set on fire a dump truck and two back hoes owned by the Leonard Trucking Services.
Another group of insurgents reportedly burned a bulldozer and a backhoe with an estimated total value of P15 million in Barangay Fatima in nearby Paquibato district before dawn yesterday.
Residents said the rebels fired shots in the air before they fled.
A similar incident believed perpetrated by the same group was reported at around 7:30 a.m. in Barangay Dalagdag in Calinan district.
Authorities are eyeing extortion as the motive for the attacks, according to Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, director of the Southern Mindanao police.