Monday, April 16, 2007 Army slams rebels over torching firm By Ben Serrano Caraga correspondent
CAMP RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, Butuan -- Around P7 million worth of heavy duty equipment used in constructing roads in logging areas at the former Nasipit Lumber Company (Nalco) owned timber concessions in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, were burned by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels last Thursday evening.
Maj. Samuel Sagun, public affairs officer of the Fourth Infantry Division (4th ID), condemned the act.
"What's new with an international terrorist organization?" he said, referring to the NPA's designation as a terrorist group by the United States and European governments.
Sagun said the torching may have been done after equipments' owners refused to give NPA revolutionary taxes.
He added: "NPA is the biggest mafia in the country today. If businesses refuse to give, they resort to destructive acts."
The heavy equipment were also used in logging operations by a certain Butuan City based businessman Peter Ruaya in the area some 17 kilometers in rough, mountainous roads from this city.
DENR officials in the region reportedly were unable to explain how Ruaya got a permit in his logging operations since the area was already abandoned by former wood firm giant Nalco after it ceased operations due to insurgency problems.
The former Nalco concession area in Las Nieves composed of 33,000 hectares has rich forest resources of naturally grown trees and is said to be targetted by log firms for illegal logging activities.
The rebels led by a certain alias Kikoy of the Front Committee 88 Northern Mindanao Regional Command ransacked the wood sawmill owned by wood trader Peter Ruaya.
It was not also reported whether the wood sawmill existed legally or has corresponding permits issued by government for revenue collection purposes.
Police said the armed men burned chainsaws, heavy duty generators, lathe machines, crane, pay-loader and pork lifts used in lifting big logs to waiting cargo trucks.
Police estimated the damages of the heavy equipment owned by Ruaya to be worth P7 million.
The armed men suspected to be NPA immediately fled towards Barangay Consorcia of said municipality. The once logging area abandoned by NALCO is at present a protected area. with reports from DVAIII.
