Army to bizmen: Don't give in to NPA demands

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division had urged businessmen and private contractors not to give in to extortion demands of the New People's Army in Negros Island, as it will help further strengthen rebel forces.

Major General Dinoh Dolina, 3rd ID commander, made the appeal as he noted a series of arson activities perpetrated by communist rebels in central Negros in the past several weeks.

The NPA recently owned up the burning of a farm tractor, two cargo trucks and a heavy equipment in La Castellana and Moises Padilla towns and in Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, as well as in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

Two weeks ago, the rebels also burned heavy equipment of two private construction firms contracted by the government to build farm to market roads in the hinterland barangays of Mabinay town in Negros Oriental.

Dolina ordered Colonel Alberto Desoyo, who he installed Thursday as the new commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, to ensure the effective military-police coordination, and the Department of Public Works and Highways to secure the flagship programs of the government in Negros.

Desoyo replaced Brig. Gen. Eliezer Losanes, who is set to assume the position as assistant division commander of the 8th Infantry Division in Samar. —