Rebels set poultry farm ablaze

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Gunmen, who claimed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA), torched down two buildings at a poultry farm in Zamboanga del Sur after the owner insisted against paying "revolutionary taxes".

Captain Alberto Caber, Army’s 1st Infantry Division spokesman, said the incident took place around 12:30 a.m. Friday in the village of Dalaon, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.

Caber said one of the poultry workers, Vicente Capuno, told investigators that at least seven NPA rebels barged into the poultry compound and herded the workers into one corner.

The poultry farm is owned by businessman Onyx Go.

He said while some of the NPAs poured gasoline on the two buildings, the others frisked them and confiscated their cellular phones.

The NPAs fled and later called Go through a mobile phone to inform the businessman of the incident, he said.

The NPAs further warned Go to heed to their demands so his poultry farm will be spared from further attack, he said.

He said the workers failed to recognize any of the NPAs, who belong to the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) since they were wearing bonnet masks.

Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, First Infantry Division commander, upon learning of the incident directed all his troops to intensify security operations to deter or prevent similar incidents from happening to protect the local poultry industry.

“We must intensify intelligence operations and maximize information-sharing with the PNP [Philippine National Police] counterparts and other stakeholders,” Cruz added.

The worth of property damaged has yet to be ascertained, Caber said. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)