TWO suspects in the purged burning of a vehicle inside the Chico River Irrigation Pump Project (CRIPP) in Kalinga Province is now the subject of a manhunt operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
AFP 503rd commander Brigadier General Henry Duyawen said based on initial investigation, footprints of two suspects were seen in the place of incident by patrolling police and military personnel.
“Allegedly, there were two former employees of the CRIPP who were laid off due to their misdemeanor or behavior because of their absenteeism, and is being considered as the possible perpetrators of the thwarted burning of a pay loader in Kalinga,” Duyawen said.
The 503rd Brigade considers the arson attempt by disgruntled employees as a minor incident but is nevertheless being investigated by the police in connection with their previous employment.
“We do not consider this as an act made by the New People’s Army because of the methodology on how they tried to burn the side of the seat of the vehicle and its radiator tube because normally, the NPA’s would use explosives and immediately declare their involvement. In this case, the suspects used newspapers and plastic sacks used for rice in burning the vehicle,” the 503rd commander said.
The irrigation project is a project of Region 2 as main proponent. Towns covered by the CRPIP composed of Tuao (7,150 hectares) and Piat in Cagayan (380 hectares), and Pinukpuk in Kalinga (1,170 hectares) with a total of 8,700 hectares.
“Being a project of the government, the presence of the AFP and PNP in securing these facilities will always be seen and felt in these kinds of projects to assure the people of the progressive gains they will get from this project,” Duyawen added.