Suspected NPA rebels torch truck used in Isabela logging

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN MARIANO, Isabela — Police said  government security forces are now hunting around 50 heavily-armed men, believed to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, responsible for torching a truck used in logging in this town..

Chief Insp. Arnold Bulan, San Mariano Municipal Police Station (MPS) chief, said the empty truck owned by businessman Arsenio Manuel of Cauayan City was set on fire Wednesday at the boundary of Barangays Kadsalan and Tampa.

Bulan said the truck operator claimed the truck was also being used for the delivery of cassava and corn products.

However, there were earlier reports that the truck was being used to transport timber.

Bulan said the assailants flagged down the truck then ordered the driver and four members of his crew to get out of the vehicle.

At this juncture, the gunmen set the truck on fire.

Meanwhile, police operatives filed robbery and arson cases in court against NPA rebels responsible for the burning of several heavy equipment and vehicles inside the compound of Geogen Nickel Asia Corporation, a mining company in Barangay Dimalwade, Dinapigue, Isabela.

Senior Insp. Mariano Marayag Jr., Dinapigue chief of police, cited that the motive of the suspects in torching two unit Pick-up Ford, one unit Bulldozer, five Back Hoe, one unit D-Max, one Sadam, one Payloader, one service Pick-up, and one Nissan Terrano last October 28 was the refusal of the company to pay revolutionary taxes to the NPA.