NPAs took advantage of the calamity in Eastern Samar, burns civilian’s heavy equipment

By DPAO, 8ID PA
December 10, 2014

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – At least 20 fully armed NPA rebels swooped down at the Hanjin-Yakal quarrying site at Barangay Vigan, Gen MacArthur, Eastern Samar at around 9 AM of Dec 10, 2014. The burning occurred a few days after the disaster brought about by typhoon “Ruby” where Eastern Samar was the hardest hit by the typhoon.

Based on initial information received by the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, a backhoe and three dump trucks of the company along with seven workers were on quarrying operations along the Binalay River of the aforementioned barangay when more or less 20 fully armed NPA rebels swooped down the quarrying site and took hold of the workers along with the heavy equipment. After a brief talk with the workers, the NPAs ordered them to vacate the area and leave the heavy equipment behind. Said heavy equipment was subsequently burned by the NPA rebels.

The Hanjin-Yakal is a joint venture owned by Millennium Challenge Account Philippines which started construction projects in Eastern Samar in April 2013. It is currently undertaking road widening project amounting to P19M from the municipality of Llorente down to Guiuan, Eastern Samar in the south. Currently, the construction firm has completed 30 percent of the project.

It is very unfortunate that the NPA rebels are still very incessant in imposing violence even during calamities. It is very apparent that they have taken advantage of the situation while rescue and relief operations in the area are still on going. Velarmino further added, “Today the whole nation is observing the culmination of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week. It is sad to note that the NPAs insist on attacking vulnerable civilian targets whose mission is to provide quality infrastructure projects here in the province of Eastern Samar. Their actions only bespeaks of their cruel intentions of denying the opportunity for development in this part of the region.”

The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in coordination with the Philippine National Police based in MacArthur, Eastern Samar immediately sent troops in the area to pursue the perpetrators in the incident.