Extortion eyed behind truck torching in N. Cotabato

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Extortion is likely the motive behind the torching of a banana plantation spray truck in Makilala, North Cotabato on Monday, a top military official said.

Chief of the civil military operations of the 57th IB, 1Lt. Nasrullah Sema, said Dole-Stanfilco, one of the major firms engaged in Cavendish banana production, has been receiving extortion threats from the NPAs.

Reports reaching the 57th IB said that at least 10 fully-armed suspected New People Army (NPA)rebels arrived at the Dole-Stanfilco farm in Sitio Kalapungot, Barangay Kisante in Makilala and torched the truck.

The rebels, Sema said, are asking "considerable amount" from the firm. He did not, however, state how much the NPAs are demanding.

“The rebels are calling this a revolutionary tax. But, for us in the government, there’s no such thing as revolutionary tax. This is clear and simple extortion,” Sema said.

“There are letters from the NPAs asking for an amount for their operations. They ask money from the developers and in other business establishments here,” said the official.

The Dole-Stanfilco is one of the major firms operating in Makilala town. Other industries include rubber plantations, woodworks and agri-industrial products.

The firm, including other agri-based industries, contributes to the growth of Makilala town, Sema said. 

 

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