By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least five farm tractors and a truck were confirmed destroyed Monday evening after they were allegedly torched by around 50 heavily-armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Santa Monica, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental.

Based on information released by the Philippine Army 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB), the rebels attacked a home owned by Barangay Santa Monica Captain Martin Longa.

Once inside, the group immediately set farm vehicles housed inside a warehouse on fire and robbed the house, stealing two mobile phones and two commercial radios, then fleeing toward an unknown direction.

The Bureau of Fire Protection estimates damages at P3 million.

The report also confirmed rebels allegedly extorted Longa of P500,000 but he refused to comply with the rebels’ demands.

In response to the attack, the 94IB slammed the attack, calling it disrespect and a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

“This kind of incident clearly shows that the rebels will not spare anyone with their ‘terroristic’ activities,” the 94IB said in a statement. “They will continue to destroy the lives of innocent civilians to impose fear and stop the people from going against them.”/DGB, WDJ