BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two units of heavy equipment used in the construction of a bridge were burned by suspected New People’s Army rebels on November 5 in Sitio Magboto, Brgy. Cabia-an, Candoni, Negros Occidental.
The Candoni police is eyeing extortion as the motive of the arson incident.
PMaj. Ronald Santillan, Candoni police chief, yesterday said that about 10 suspected NPA rebels, armed with high-powered firearms, swooped down at the scene of the incident where a bridge is under construction.
Santillan said the armed rebels set on fire a back hoe and a road roller owned by the Silver Dragon Construction firm, but spared its five employees from harm.
Estimated damage was placed by authorities at P12 million.
Quoting statements of witnesses, Santillan said the armed men told them that their employer is “hard headed.”
The Bureau of Fire and Protection assisted the Candoni Police Station in the investigation into the arson incident while pursuit operations of the 47th Infantry Battalion against the fleeing rebels are still ongoing as of press time.*
