Communist rebels raided two banana plantations in Mindanao in one day -- one of their most brazen attacks for months in the face of recent setbacks. The attacks by the New People's Army (NPA) on Saturday caused extensive damage but no one was killed.
About 50 militants raided an aircraft hangar at a plantation owned by Del Monte Philippines in the town of Tubay on Saturday evening. Investigating police officer Jomar Ascares said, "The rebels disarmed the security guards and seized their two shotguns, tied their arms... then proceeded to the hangar and poured gasoline onto the (crop-duster) plane."
Just hours before the burning of the plane and hangar, about 60 NPA guerrillas raided another banana plantation in Pantukan town, disarming 10 security guards, burning a building and equipment, and cutting down about 300 banana plants, said Senior Supt. Abraham Roxas.
The attacks on the plantations were in retaliation for the companies' refusal to meet extortion demands, said Major Christian Uy, a Mindanao army spokesman. He said the NPA fighters were becoming "desperate" to raise money because they were not receiving as much financial support from their superiors. |