By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) increased security to vital installations throughout the province after suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) raided the solar energy farm in Barangay Tinampa-an, Cadiz City, last week.
According to NOPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., the NPA raided the facility after the company reportedly refused to give-in to the rebel group’s demands.
He also urged businessmen to not capitulate to the NPA and pay “revolutionary taxes.” Castil, instead, suggests reporting the incident to authorities, who will then dispatch personnel to their area of business.
Castil also requested the public to inform police if they spot armed individuals in their area.
However, he admitted more manpower is necessary in order to provide complete security.
Last week, suspected NPA rebels attacked the Helios Solar Energy Corporation solar energy farm, resulting in the damage of at least 90 solar panels, worth around P2.25 million.
The said installation is considered as the largest solar energy farm in Southeast Asia./WDJ