A SUGARCANE farm worker burned a four-hectare plantation at Hacienda San Jose, Barangay Bulad in Isabela, Negros Occidental Sunday, leaving an estimated damage of P520,000.

Police records showed that Roberto Tompong, 26, of Hacienda Bugasong, Antique intentionally burned the plantation owned by Harry Chua of Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.

Inspector Joseph Partidas, deputy chief of Isabela Municipal Police Station, said Tompong set the fields on fire around 8 a.m. as witnessed by Jerson Sanchez.

Tompong burned Chua’s plantation because the owner has yet to pay him for his services, Partidas added.

Partidas said Chua will no longer pursue charges against Tompong, who

is detained at the station, and will be released after the lapse of the 36-hour reglementary period.