ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels burned heavy equipment being used in a road project in Guimbal, Iloilo on Wednesday night.
Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion said two transit mixers worth P8 million and a backhoe valued at P10 million were destroyed.
Batara said the construction equipment are owned by Wilkinson Construction Corp., which is handling a road-widening project from Oton to Miag-ao towns.
He said construction workers were awakened when around 15 armed men stormed their sleeping quarters at around 10:45 p.m.
The rebels reportedly poured gasoline before setting the heavy equipment on fire.
Police said the construction firm has received extortion letters from NPA rebels since 2017.