Suspected NPAs torch Cotabato rubber plant, kills one, injures another

MAKILALA, Cotabato – One person died and another one was injured when suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels torched a rubber plant and planted a land mine at Bgy. Taluntalunan in Makilala, Cotabato Sunday evening.

More than 20 heavily armed men came shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday and asked the workers to vacate the place before pouring gasoline and setting the rubber processing plant on fire, Anthony Mag-aso, a worker of Standard Rubber Development Corporation (STANDICO) reported to the police.

“They knocked the main gate and identified themselves as NPA and ordered us to leave the area,” Mag-aso told the Makilala PNP.

Sr. Insp. Ma. Joyce Birrey, the town’s chief of police, refused to comment on the identity of the suspects as their office has not yet received a report regarding any extortion activity conducted by this group.

“We are still conducting in-depth investigation in order to determine the motive and the identity of the suspects,” Birrey said Sunday.

Birrey, however, confirmed that a worker identified as Hectore Lalaguna, 46, died, and his companion Francisco Undag Jr, 47, was wounded when a land mine exploded beside the road leading to the processing plant.

Birrey said the two were riding in their service vehicle when the land mine said to be planted by the suspects went off.

Barangay Taluntalunan is estimated to be three kilometers away from the town proper, and could be reached in 10 minutes from there.

Unfavorable road conditions, however, made it difficult for responding fire trucks to enter the area immediately.

Initial reports disclosed that two processing plants were totally razed to ground.

Arson investigators are still determining the exact amount of damages incurred.

STANDICO employs at least 500 workers.

The town’s social welfare and development office is also giving assistance to children who have been traumatized by the incident. —KG, GMA News