CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz –Machineries were burned by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Sunday (Dec. 14) evening.

Heavy equipment owned by the International Builders Corporation were torched by a group of 30 armed men at Sitio Taoangan, Barangay (village) Gil Montilla in the said city at 8:35pm.

Lt. Col. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commanding officer of the Phil. Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion said the equipment that were burned include one grader, pay loader and one vibratory roller.

“These were used for the construction and rehabilitation of a national road which is a government project that could boost trade and economic development in Sipalay City,” Pompeyo said in a press statement.

Pompeyo added that based on the information they have gathered, the communist rebels did this as part of their extortion scheme to force the private firm to give in to the NPA’s demands.

Col. Allan Martin, commander of the Phil. Army’s 302nd Brigade based in Tanjay City, said it has intensified its security operations in the area especially in tracking the communist rebels responsible for the burning.

“The government is working hard on developmental projects that will benefit the people but in return, the NPA destroyed the equipment to stall development,” he said.

“Our soldiers are working closely with the Philippine National Police and we are optimistic that the NPA group behind this would be cornered soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Phil. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) condemns the act committed by the NPAs.

Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the 3ID, continues to call on the people especially in Negros Occidental “to convince those who are deceived by the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to follow the path of peace and condemn those who advocate violence and use arms against civilians”.  (BY Division Public Affairs Office, 3rd Infantry Division, Phil. Army)