NPA denies burning contractor’s machines; warns ‘criminal elements’

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The New People’s Army denied involvement in the recent burning of heavy construction equipment belonging to the Omengan Construction and Development Corp. here at Barangay Bayyo and warned anybody misusing the name of the NPA “would be dealt with severely.”

Martin Montana, spokesperson of the Chadli Molintas Command- New People’s Army Ilocos-Cordillera said at about 1 a.m. one morning last month, at least five masked men armed with M16 rifles, shotguns and pistols set afire the equipment.

Later, unscrupulous individuals and parties reportedly spread rumors that the NPA was behind these incidents because of the company’s refusal to pay revolutionary taxes.

“The NPA categorically denies any involvement in the burning of the OCDC equipment and the destruction of the bridge embankment,” Montana said in a statement. “The Bontoc-Banaue Road is crucial to the economy and travel of the people of the Mountain Province, Ifugao and other nearby provinces. It is a strict policy of the NPA and the revolutionary movement as a whole to respect and not damage such vital infrastructure and other public properties.”

Montana said, “There is need to deeply investigate the reported incidents, identify the masterminds and perpetrators and bring them to justice. There are several possible culprits behind the incidents, especially because tens of millions of pesos have been allotted for the particular road project awarded to OCDC.

“The NPA willingly extends its assistance in identifying the mastermind and perpetrators of the crime. It also issues a stern warning that all criminal elements who use the name of the NPA and other revolutionary organizations in their extortion activities will be dealt with severely,” Montana said.