Equipment burning
Rebs set on fire more backhoes, graders
FIVE more units of heavy equipment were partially damaged after these were set on fire by suspected communist rebels in two separate incidents in Davao City early yesterday.
These equipment are owned by construction firm Algons and Sons Co., working on a road project in the area. Damage is pegged at P10 million.
The latest incident happened past midnight at sitio Lower B in brgy. Tamugan, Marilog District.
Intial investigation conducted by Marilog police revealed some 10 armed men arrived in the
area and poured gasoline on the backhoe, grader, and unit compactor before setting it on fire.
Marilog police said the heavy equipment incurred minimal damage and are now subject for repair before it can be used again for operations.
The motive behind the burning incident has yet to be determined by police investigators.
The perpetrators fled to unknown direction after the incident.
The other incident took place at around 12:10 a.m. along Davao Bukidnon Highway in brgy. Gumalang, Baguio District, damaging more heavy equipment also owned by the same construction firm.
Initial investigation conducted by Marilog police showed the backhoe and road roller being utilized for the on-going road contruction manned by Ronie Bolasito, Jojo Olares, Aurelio Lantad, and Gropy Dumaya when the same group of rebels, on board three Honda motorcycles without plate number appeared.
Armed with short firearms, the perpetrators threatened the four victims’ lives if they would interfere with their plans.
The suspects immediately burned the heavy equipment before they escaped on board their motorcycles.
Police said that the motive and total cost of damage have yet to be determined as of this writing.
The burning incidents incurred a total of P10 million worth of damage to these equipment.
Driz said that the 84th Infantry Battalion (IB) is holding the group of Almira Rosete, alias Masi, commander of the Front Committee 54 of the New People’s Army (NPA), suspected to be behind the burning incidents.
Chief Insp. Milgrace Cajes Driz, spokesperson for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said they are already conducting investigating the two successive burning incidents.
“Wala pa tay information kung isa lang ba ka grupo ang behind ani na mga insidente. Pero we consider them as lawless elements (We don’t have any information yet whether these incidents are perpetrated by the same group. But we consider them as lawless elements),’ Driz told Sun.Star Davao in an interview at her office yesterday morning.
Driz said they are still waiting for the affidavits of the witnesses so that the appropriate charges can be readied for filing against the suspects.
She also bared that they are also gathering statements from the owners of the companies whether they received any extortion threats from any groups.
“Tinitingnan natin if may demand letter or threat from any group,” Driz said. KRP