Suspected communist rebels burned heavy equipment and the warehouse of an international firm that constructs a hydroelectric power plant in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro the other day.
Supt. Socrates Faltado, spokesperson of the Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) police, said the rebels also torched some of the offices of the Sta. Clara International Corp. based in Barangay Malvar at around 5 p.m. Monday.
“They entered the project site by identifying themselves as members of the Philippine Army,” said Faltado.
Sta. Clara International Corp. has been building a dam in the area that is set to produce eight megawatts of power.
As soon as the rebels gained entry, they reportedly disarmed the security guards on duty and started burning 12 heavy equipment.
“Not contented, they started to torch the building, including the main and safety office and warehouse,” said Faltado.
When the employees of the project were leaving, the armed men reportedly identified themselves as communist rebels.
The attack came a few days after suspected communist rebels killed two policemen near the boundary of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.
Police and military forces were added in the area to conduct pursuit operations. (Aaron Recuenco)