A BACKHOE and a small hut owned by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) were allegedly burned by suspected rebels at Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City Monday night, May 7.

Captain Ruel Llanes, civil-military operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, confirmed to SunStar Bacolod yesterday, May 7, that about 10 to 20 armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA) arrived at the area around 8 p.m.

Llanes said the perpetrators burned first the backhoe and also a small hut, where employees of NIA were temporarily staying.

He added they received a report from a concerned citizen about the burning incident.

No casualties were reported but Llanes said they have no feedback yet about the situation in the area after the incident.

Military troops were already sent to the area to conduct clearing operations and investigation.

"We cannot penetrate easily because it is already too dark and the area is considered infested by armed men," he added.

Llanes said they assumed that the rebels committed such act but it is still subject for verification.