The New People’s Army (NPA) Armando Sumayang Command released a statement yesterday afternoon, claiming responsibility for the recent attack on a quarry site in Barangay Orong, Kabankalan City over the weekend.

According to the release, the quarry operators were found guilty by their people’s court on behalf of barangay residents affected by quarry operations and for suspected “land grabbing.”

Southwest Negros Guerilla Front spokesperson Andrea Guerrero claimed one such operator, identified as Ben Paul ‘Bebot’ Seguero, actively conducted land grabs and harassed local farmers Nene Sola and Jesus Cordova in 2014.

She also claimed barangay residents earlier filed complaints with local government agencies, the provincial government, and Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco; however, they had yet to receive response.

Guerrero noted, “Until today, the residents were not given the justice they deserved.”

The NPA spokesperson also highlighted an issue where the Negros Occidental Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) reported seeing no violations being committed by the quarry operator, in light of local residents claiming the operator’s permit had expired.

She said, “[Local residents] are now rejoicing that they were given justice.”

Last Sunday, 12 members of the NPA raided the quarry site and forced employees to give up their mobile phones.

The rebels then detonated an explosive device, destroying a backhoe owned by Barangay Kagawad Raquel Siguero.

Damages were estimated at P200,000.

The NPA attack was the third in the region within a week, following incidents in Iloilo and Antique./DGB, W