Saturday, March 15, 2008 Communist rebels charged with extortion
RESIDENTS of the hinterland barangay of Nasig-id in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental on Wednesday charged with extortion 10 heavily armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army.
Lieutenant Colonel Nestor Porlucas, commanding officer of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, told Sun.Star that the residents lodged the complaint with his office.
The rebel group allegedly asked for chickens from residents. Porlucas said the Army is still verifying the reports.
Porlucas believed that communist guerillas are now feeling the military's continued operations against insurgents in the hinterland areas of Siaton and Sta. Catalina towns.
He said the first enemy of the rebel group is hunger. (VLC)
