P27.5-M lost to NPA-Bukidnon raid of Del Monte, Dole firms

An estimated P27.5 million of properties were destroyed when the New People’s Army attacked Del Monte and Dole-Stanfilco Philippines last Tuesday, February 19, in Bukidnon, Maj. Gen. Nestor Anonuevo of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said on Monday.

Anonuevo figures provided by the two firms said the damage to property reached P27.5 million – P25 million in Del Monte, and P2.5 in Dole.

He said the assault was a form of “economic sabotage” that is being perpetuated by the NPA against the livelihood of the people in the area.

Earlier, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista condemned the NPA for attacking not only “soft targets” but also innocent civilians.

“They [NPA rebels] should stop attacking…killing civilians. These are non-combatants and Del Monte Philippines is not even a soft target, it’s a civilian company, an investor in the country,” Bautista said.

Bautista cited a similar incident in October 2011 in Claver, Surigao del Norte where more than 200 rebels raided the compounds of three foreign mining giants.

According to estimates provided by the military, the three mining companies had lost worth P3 billion in destroyed properties. The rebels also looted the security armories of the mining firms.

In Bukidnon, around 50 rebels raided the compound of Del Monte in Manolo Fortich town, where they killed a security guard. Two other security guards were injured, while a civilian was also hit by stray bullet during the raid.\

The rebels burned offices, heavy equipment, ransacked the company’s security armory, and looted office computers and personal valuables of the employees.

Simultaneously, around 30 rebels attacked the compound of Dole-Stanfilco in Impasugong town. They burned heavy equipment and company vehicles.

Meanwhile, two separate groups of more than 30 rebels served as blocking force in Manolo Fortich and Sumilao towns.

In Sumilao, rebels in camouflage uniforms conducted a checkpoint where they held at gunpoint a group of policemen and confiscated their high-powered firearms and service pistols.

Army headquarters fired Col. James Jacob, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maharlika” Class 1984, as commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade for command responsibility.

Col. Francisco Pabayo (PMA “Sandiwa” Class 1985), head of the Army’s Civil-Military Operations (G7), replaced Jacob.

Anonuevo said a Board of Inquiry is already investigating possible security lapses on the incident.

Alan Juanito, spokesperson of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Operations Command (Jiito Tito Command), said the operation against Del Monte and Dole could not have been successful without the “masses and friends who lent all-out support” to the NPA units who covered over a 50-kilometer span” of attack area.

“On the other hand, we extend our sincerest apologies to the following:

First, to the motorists and passengers who were inconvenienced and to the owners of the spiked vehicles. The brief traffic obstructions in particular sections of the Cagayan De Oro—Malaybalay route was set up purposely by the operating NPA units to delay the reinforcements of AFP troops and the police and in order to avoid civilian getting caught in the crossfire should a firefight break out. We beg your consideration for the trouble,” Juanito said. –Florante S. Solmerin, Manila STandard Today