From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): NPAs torch 6 trucks of banana firm in North Cotabato
Sixtrucks of a banana firm in North Cotabato were torched by suspected New People's Army (NPA) on Wednesday dawn in a remote village in Matalam, North Cotabato , authorities here said.
The burning came after the owners of two companies, hauling company and the Sumifru banana plantation, ignored mulcting activities of the communist rebels.
According to Army Captain Antonio Bulao, Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade spokesperson based in Carmen, North Cotabato , the NPA attacks occurred at about 2:15 a.m. at the firm’s hub facility compound in Barangay Bangbang, Matalam town.
The Matalam police said about 20 heavily armed NPA stormed the compound, disarmed its security guards and poured gasoline to the six parked heavy equipment then set on fire.
The gunmen then fled with the four security guards’ 12 gauge shot guns and communication facilities.
Three of the torched trucks were owned by GY Company, a hauling firm for Sumifru banana plantation in Matalam-President Roxas municipalities, while the three hauler trucks, locally known as “Iraqi trucks” by Sumifru.
The banana firm had been receiving extortion demand from NPA’s Front 72 operating in North Cotabato .
Various multi-national firms operating in the province had been subjected to mulcting activities by the NPAs, including Dole-Stanfilco, Sumifru Philippines
Sema said companies that ignore NPA extortion activities have been subjected to harassment.
Sumifru Philippines Corporation is a joint venture with Japanese corporate giant Sumitoro Corporation with banana plantations in the towns of Antipas, Magpet and Makilala in North Cotabato.