AN attack allegedly by communist rebels on Saturday night damaged a light Cessna plane owned by pineapple and banana company Dole Philippines Inc. in Compostela Valley, military officials said.
First Lt. Vergel Lacambra, public affairs officer of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said two explosions caused by homemade bombs were believed to have been detonated by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Lacambra said the explosions rocked the hangar of Dole in Maragusan, Compostela Valley, at around 11 p.m. on July 4.
He said the company’s security officer reported that the explosion occurred at the bridge leading to the entrance of the hangar airstrip causing minor damage to the aircraft. Lacambra said no one was reported injured from the blast. He said the explosion damaged a parked Cessna plane that Dole Philippines had been using to spray pesticides on its banana plantation.
Elements of the 25th Infantry Battalion have launched pursuit operations against the perpetrators believed to be from the NPA’s Front 27, according to Lacambra. “Extortion from the NPA is seen to be the motive behind this incident,” he quoted Lt. Col. Michele Anayron, commander of 25th Infantry Battalion, as saying.
Major General Eduardo Año, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, condemned the attack and has ordered ground units to intensify close coordination with local government officials, local police stations and company security officers.
