Suspected NPA rebels burn 12 buses in Tarlac

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- A total of 12 buses and one truck were torched by suspected members of the New People’s Army inside a motor pool compound in Barangay Estrada, Capas, Tarlac night of Sept. 25.

In a report reaching here, Tarlac police provincial director Alfred Corpus said about 9 p.m. Sunday he received a report that a conflagration was in progress inside the Victory Liner Inc. motor pool compound.

The report showed Rizaldy Viray, 41, a member of RNB security agency and stay-in security guard at the compound, said more than seven unidentified armed men wearing camouflage uniforms entered the area.

The rebels at gunpoint took the three .9mm pistol calibers and one cellular phone from the two guards.

Corpus said the rebels ordered the two guards to lay down facing the ground with their arms over their head and then poured gasoline and set on fire the 12 Victory Liner buses.

He said that seven of the buses are without engines and five are not in running condition.

An Isuzu Elf truck stocked in the motor pool and under repair was also torched by the rebels.

The rebels fired three gunshots indiscriminately while fleeing towards west direction.

Viray was hit by stray bullet on his right middle finger and he was taken to Ospital Ning Capas.

Firefighter trucks from Capas responded and declared the fire out at about 11:30 p.m.

Corpus said that the rebels gained entry by means of climbing the southern concrete fence of the compound.

Police authorities said the motive behind the burning of buses could have been an extortion case. -- PNA