Saturday, July 26, 2008 Extortion eyed behind Dole attack in Makilala
AUTHORITIES are eying extortion as the motive behind the burning of equipment of the Dole-Stanfilco plant in Makilala, North Cotabato Thursday morning.
Major Randolph Cabangbang of the Eastern Mindanao Command said the fruit company has been receiving extortion demands from the New People's Army recently but did not give in to the group.
About 15 fully armed rebels burned the palletizing equipment of Dole in Barangay Luna Norte around 5:30 in the morning of July 24. Twenty minutes later, police and barangay officials from nearby barangay San Vicente onboard a multicab arrived in the area.
A landmine exploded along the way, injuring three cops and killing barangay councilman Ricky Apolinario.
Incidentally, Dole is among four big companies that the NPA has admitted having filed a case against in its People's Court, or what it calls its "kangaroo court." (BOT)
