• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong strongly condemned what she described as brazen act of violence, where about 30 armed men set heavy equipment on fire, in the hinterlands of La Libertad, Negros Oriental, on February 8.
Burned were two backhoes, a loader, and a dump truck owned by a private construction company, but the estimated value of the damage has not yet been determined.
“This deliberate act of violence and destruction is a direct assault on peace and order, as well as progress in our communities. Such lawlessness has no place in a society that strives for development with peace and security,” Limkaichong said in a statement, stressing also that those behind the arson incident must be held accountable.
Initial investigation of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office indicate that the armed men poured gasoline on the heavy equipment. However, no one was hurt in the arson incident
Col. J-Jay Javines, civil-military operations chief of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said they have yet to establish if remnants of the New People’s Army are responsible for the incident.
Javines, however, said the incident may delay the farm to market road project of the La Libertad municipal government, which is supposed to link up the hinterlands to the town poblacion.
Limkaichong (1st district, Negros Oriental), called on law enforcement agencies to expedite their investigation, identity the perpetrators, and ensure they will face the full force of the law.*
