NPAs burn truck, loot houses in North Cotabato

Members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) set on fire a 10-wheeler truck and looted houses in separate attacks in Makilala, North Cotabato on Thursday.

Maj. Julieto Ando, spokesperson for the army's Sixth Infantry Division, said the rebels flagged down a truck, owned by a Davao del Sur businessman, on a secluded stretch of highway, ordered the driver out and set the vehicle on fire.

Another NPA group stormed a farming community not far from the highway and looted houses, including one owned by a village council member. The member was divested of a two-way radio, a cellular phone and assorted jewellery, said Ando.

The rebels were overheard shouting that they would carry out more attacks, said the military, quoting villagers.

Military sources said the attacks were in retaliation for the death of 22-year-old Benjaline Hernandez, the secretary-general of a human rights group.