Rebels strike anew in Misor, burn heavy equipment

By Froilan Gallardo, Special Correspondent .

SUSPECTED communist rebels burned a backhoe and a dump truck quarrying sand and gravel in Balingasag town yesterday afternoon.

Lt. Theofratus Pia, spokesperson of the PNP Misamis Oriental, said around seven armed rebels burned the backhoe and dump truck owned by Basoy Group of Companies in Purok 5, Barangay Napaliran in Balingasag town at around 3:15 pm.

Pia said the unarmed company security men did not put up a fight as the suspected rebels poured gasoline on the heavy equipment.

He said residents in the village were able to alert the police in Balingasag town who immediately responded to the crime scene.

Pia said an Army patrol team from the 58th Infantry Battalion also responded resulting in a firefight that continued until last night.

He said the burning of the backhoe and dump truck might be a diversionary tactic of the rebels to ease pressure of Army troops who are pursuing another band of rebels who burned several heavy equipment owned by a contractor of Del Monte Philippines in Claveria town on Tuesday.

Suspected communist rebels burned three dump trucks and a bus for workers in Sitio Talambao, Bulahan, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, chief of the 58th Infantry Battalion, said they are pursuing the suspects who burned the vehicles of Del Monte Philippines.