NPA attack cassava milling facility in Misamis Oriental

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Police Sergeant Graciano Temano of Maltibog town confirms the attack, saying the rebels set fire to stocks of cassava chips, a milling machine, and a building in Barangay Siloo

CAGAYAN DE ORO – The New People’s Army said on Saturday, April 5, it had sent its guerillas to burn the cassava milling facility of a businessman whom they accused of grabbing indigenous people’s lands in Bukidnon.

Nikolas Marino, NPA spokesman in Northern Mindanao, sent text messages to reporters on Saturday saying a team of 12 armed rebels attacked the facility in Barangay Siloo, Malitbog, Misamis Oriental after overpowering the facility’s guards.

The text messages sent to reporters came as a surprise.

The NPA had not done so since 2021 when the rebels suffered setbacks, starting with the killings of their top leaders like Jorge Madlos alias “Ka Oris” and former National Democratic Front consultant Pedro Cudaste.

After the killing of Madlos and Cudaste in Bukidnon, the NPA tightened its security and ceased sending communications to news organizations and reporters.

Police Sergeant Graciano Temano of the Malitbog town police station confirmed the NPA attack, saying the rebels gathered the workers before setting fire to stocks of cassava chips, a milling machine, and a building in Barangay Siloo.

Temano said none of the workers were hurt but the owner of the milling facility estimated the damage at P3 million.

Marino said the rebels also confiscated an air rifle and two radio sets from the guard.

The 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro said only 100 NPA rebels are left operating in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental after they decimated most of its guerilla fronts in the Mt. Pantaron range straddling Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental. – Rappler.com