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Sunday, March 14, 2004
Armed rebs storm Marsman, 6 security guards wounded
By Ben O. Tesiorna
* Rebels reportedly carrying posters of presidential candidate Ping Lacson
* Attack could have stemmed from Marsman's continued defiance of NPA revolutionary taxation, says Sr. Supt Jaime Morente
SIX security guards manning the front gate of Marsman plantation in Mabini, Compostela Valley were injured after some 30 armed rebels posing as supporters of presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson stormed the plantation Friday evening.
The victims were identified as Arturo Bermoy, Ernesto Udin, Reynaldo Suarez, Manolito Fuentes, William Tumanda and Roque Austria--all of Nova's Security Agency. Three of them are reportedly in critical condition.
Sr. Supt. Jaime Morente, Compostela Valley police provincial director, said the attack happened around 6:30 p.m. in front of the gate of Marsman plantation in Tagnanan, Mabini.
He said prior to the attack, several ladies posing as supporters of Ping Lacson approached the front gate and requested the guards' permission to post campaign paraphernalia of Lacson.
Then the armed men on board an Isuzu Elf truck and Sarao jeep arrived and strafed the gate.
Six guards stationed at the front gate fought it out with the rebels. The firefight lasted for about five minutes before the rebels withdrew towards Sitio Magpalway in Bongabong, Pantukan.
The rebels, reportedly belonging to the New People's Army (NPA) Front Committee 2, headed by one Kumander Lando, carted away the guards' four M-16 rifles and one Garand rifle.
Morente said the attack could have stemmed from Marsman's continued refusal to pay NPA revolutionary taxation.
He said the rebels are now intensifying their tax collection in preparation for their coming anniversary on March 29.
Elements of the 1107th PNP Mobile Group and the Army's 60th Infantry Battalion are now in hot pursuit of the suspects who are said to be somewhere in Tibayon, Panukan. With Peng Aliño
(March 14, 2004 issue)
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