Alleged NPAs burn construction equipment in South Cotabato

June 19, 2020

Alleged New People's Army (NPA) members torched heavy equipment owned by a construction company in South Cotabato on Monday, a military spokesman said late Thursday night.

Maj. Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the contruction equipment was burned at the vicinity of Purok Pag asa, Sitio Dalia, Barangay Edwards, T'boli muncipality at 3:10 pm.

Encinas said the three heavy equipment owned by Gemma Construction Company were destroyed.

"The damaged equipment include one backhoe, one felo loader, and one dump truck," he said.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central Commander, said government forces are conducting investigation and pursuit operation against the perpetrators.

“Thorough investigation is ongoing while our troops are conducting pursuit operation to neutralize the perpetrators,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom commander, assures that the military will continue its operations.

"While we continue to work for peace, our enemies never cease to sow fear in the communities," he said.

“Rest assured that we will intensify our military and intelligence operations to disrupt the desperate plots of the terrorists,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS