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Monday, July 14, 2008
Extortion 'could be' behind firm raid
DAVAO CITY -- An Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) officer said Sunday that extortion could be behind the latest raid at a manufacturing company in Lasang town, this city.
Major Armand Rico, public information officer of Eastmincom, said the New People's Army (NPA) could have been trying to put more force in its demand for "revolutionary taxes" from Caraga Filchin Corporation in Lasang that it raided the company compound and set fire on its heavy equipment.
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He said Caraga Filchin Corporation, received an extortion letter last year from a group, which identified itself as the NPA, adding that the extorting arm of the rebel group might have very well infiltrated Davao City.
The NPA's extortion arm in Southern Mindanao is reportedly headed by notorious rebel leader Leoncio Pitao, also known as Commander Parago.
Parago has been reportedly enjoying the support of some government officials in the city.
Initial reports obtained by Sun.Star Davao showed that a group of armed men forcibly entered the Caraga Filchin Corporation's compound around 7 p.m. Saturday.
The armed group, comprised of seven men, immediately disarmed the sole guard of the compound and carted away his shotgun.
The armed men also entered the administrative building of the company and destroyed the office equipment found inside. They also set on fire a heavy equipment owned by the firm.
Company officials pegged damages at P500,000.
Caraga Filchin Corporation, located in the industrial district of Davao City, is owned by a certain Nelson Chua and has been operating for the past five years. It supplies treated electric posts and farm fertilizers.
It reportedly received a new extortion letter demanding its payment of revolutionary taxes.
As of Sunday, troops from the 73rd Infantry Battalion were still conducting pursuit operations.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Southern Mindanao also reported that as of this year, the rebel group has committed at least 97 atrocities ranging from extortion to the ambush of civilians and military personnel. (CPM of
Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (July 14, 2008 issue)
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