• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Romeo Nanta Command of the New People’s Army (RNC-NPA) has officially denied responsibility for a recent fire that hit a sugarcane plantation owned by Wilfred Anglo in Barangay Libacao, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
The blaze, which occurred at Hacienda Jose Valing, reportedly damaged approximately one hectare of the 120-hectare estate.
In a statement released by spokesperson Ka Dionesio Magbuelas, the rebel group distanced itself from the incident, suggesting it was the work of saboteurs attempting to exploit the current conflict.
The denial stands in contrast to the group’s actions just last week, when they publicly admitted to torching P7 million worth of heavy equipment of the same owner.
While the NPA claimed credit for destroying the machinery as a sanction against the landowner, they clarified that burning crops is not their policy due to the high risk of fires spreading to neighboring farms and homes during the dry season.
Despite the previous attack on the farm’s equipment, the group stated they are providing the landowner time to recover and address the demands of both regular and seasonal laborers.
The warned local planters and business owners to be vigilant against individuals who might pose as NPA members to conduct extortion.
The rebel command alleged that state forces or surrendered fighters might use the fire as a pretext for such activities.*
