Rebels attack construction firm in Davao

DAVAO CITY – Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) burned down three heavy equipment owned by a construction company based in Davao City Thursday night.

The communist rebels first struck at the Jameetrix Construction's compound at around 7:45 p.m. on Kilometer 14, Diversion Road in Panacan and burned two backhoe loaders and a payloader.

The caretaker of the place identified as Leonardo Margallo Ondaloc said four unidentified men on board two motorcycles set the equipment ablaze.

Ondaloc said one of the attackers introduced themselves as members of the NPA before pouring gasoline into the equipment.

DAVAO. Contractual workers of Jameetrix Realty and Development Corp. check on a damaged backhoe loader used in a government road project along Diversion Road in Panacan and Buhangin in Davao City. Three of the construction firm's excavating equipment were deliberately burned by suspected communist rebels Thursday night. (King Rodriguez)

An hour later, two alleged members of the NPA burned down a playloader also owned by Jameetrix at its compound on Kilometer 6, Diversion Road in Buhangin Gallera. The firm is owned by one Allan Zamora, a resident of Spring Village in Ma-a.

The estimated worth of damage in both equipment burning and the motive behind the incidents are still being investigated by police authorities.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, said extortion could be the motive behind the attack.

"Extortion siguro ang motibo sa mga suspect kay basig naa sila kinahanglang gikan sa biktima. Padayon lang gihapon ang among pagimbestiga sa krimen (Extortion may have been the motive of the suspects since they may have demanded something from the victim. The investigation of the crime is still ongoing)" dela Rosa told Sun.Star Davao.

Dela Rosa said they will monitor any NPA activities within the metropolis and will be more alert to prevent any further incidents.

He also said they will coordinate with the military to intensify their preemptive measures against any rebel insurgency within the city. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)