PNP, Army hit torching of heavy equipment by NPAs

By Liezle Basa Inigo

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- The Cagayan Valley Police Regional Office condemned the destruction of six heavy equipment by the New People’s Army (NPA) night of Feb. 28 in Alcala, Cagayan.

A police report said about 30 fully armed communist rebels threatened employees of Camia Construction and set fire to the heavy equipment after dousing them with gasoline.

Destroyed were three mixer trucks, a dump trucks, a grader and a steam roller.

The suspects, who were identified as members of the CPP-NPA’s Northern Front, burned three cement mixers, a compactor, a grader, and a dump truck owned by Camia Construction Company based in Tuguegarao City.

According to the military, the pieces of equipment were being used in the construction of a concrete road and bridge Barangay Agani, Alcala that passes through Barangays Baybayog, Masin, Pared and Pussian as part of the developmental program of the province.

Cagayan is a main producer of agricultural products like rice, corn, peanut, beans, and fruits. The building of roads and bridges is crucial for the province as this will enable farmers to transport their products to the local market.

With the help of concerned citizens who reported to the authorities, troops from the Army’s Fifth Infantry “Star” Division (5th ID) immediately conducted pursuit operations against the perpetrators of the crime.

Brig. Gen. Perfecto M. Rimando Jr., the Commander of the 5th ID, said the Army denounced the atrocious act and will use all of its capabilities in order for all the perpetrators to face the bar of justice while continuing to support the local government units and other concerned agencies in the implementation of projects that will uplift the socio-economic condition of our people.

“We condemn this criminal act committed by the NPA terrorists against the people of Cagayan. The burning of the heavy equipment affects the livelihood of innocent civilians and delays the delivery of development projects to those in need,” Rimando said.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant and continue on working hand in hand with us in addressing the communist threat here in Cagayan,” he added.

The police assured the public that security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of potential targets, including key government installations, power lines, and municipal police stations.