Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Rebels fire guns at giant swine farm
KORONADAL CITY -- Suspected New Peoples' Army (NPA) rebels fired an M-79 grenade and peppered bullets on a swine farm in a village here, around 7 p.m. Monday.
No one was hurt or injured during the attack, but it sent residents of Barangay Sarabia to panic, said Senior Superintendent Robert Kiunisala, provincial Philippine National Police (PNP) director in South Cotabato.
Residents told police that the loud explosion caused by the grenade launcher was followed by a series of gun bursts coming from high-caliber firearms.
Sources said that days before the attack, suspected communist rebels were seen roaming around the village.
The Progressive Farm, the biggest swine farm and known to have the most modern swine breeding facilities in Central Mindanao, is reportedly owned by Chinese-Filipino taipan Lucio Tan. It is located some 10 kilometers from the city's poblacion.
Kiunisala said months before the attack, the firm has received extortion threats from the NPA.
The NPA is allegedly demanding payment of revolutionary tax from the company.
The police have yet to determine the cost of damage. (MCM)
