Copra trucks burned down

THREE trailer trucks carrying copra products were flagged down and allegedly burned by more or less eight armed men along the national high way in Barangay Pungtod, Alegria, Surigao del Norte on Monday evening.

The report came from local residents in the area, saying the perpetrators were alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

According to Ltc. Vincent Iringan, commanding officer of the 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion, the armed men fired successive shots to the air before fleeing.

Iringan said his troops are currently conducting blocking ambush positions along the possible enemy routes of withdrawal.

Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection responded to the site and put off the fire. They pulled off the trucks towards the shoulder of the road.

The Alegria police together with the members of the 30IB are now conducting investigation on the incident.

“The New People’s Army continues to be the hindrance of our country’s development. They make the people suffer by robbing the latter’s source of income,” said Major General Victor A. Felix, commander of the 4th Infantry Division.

Colonel Ronald N. Albano, commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stinger) Brigade, said the suspects identified themselves as NPA members belonging to Guerilla Front 16A.

“I now ordered a manhunt against these criminals,” Albano said.