Friday, October 31, 2008 NPA attacks rubber plantation in Agusan By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE New People's Army attacked a rubber plantation and conducted a checkpoint in broad daylight Wednesday in Agusan del Sur.
Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Major Randolph Cabangbang said about 20 rebels from the Front Committee 21-B first ransacked the Jose C. Aquino Rubber Company in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Bayugan City around 10:20 in the morning of October 29.
The rebels reportedly carted away six M16 rifles, one .38 caliber revolver, and one laptop owned by the rubber company.
At the same time, another group of about 20 rebels also conducted a checkpoint in nearby Barangay San Jose in Prosperidad town. The rebels stopped all passing vehicles on the highway and allegedly took some valuables from civilians.
One Sgt. Pio Macerin, who was on his way to report for duty in Bayugan City, was also accosted by the rebels inside a Bachelor bus and his M16 rifle with bandoleers was taken by the rebels.
Cabangbang said a military "asset" took photographs of the incident.
"Our asset sent us the pictures to prove that he is already inside the rebel organization," Cabangbang said.
Elements of the Army's 26th Infantry Battalion backed by an armored vehicle conducted hot pursuit operations against the rebels who fled after the morning attack.
