Maoist rebels attack road project

Manila: About 80 rebels of the communist New People's Army rebels attacked a major government-funded road project in southern Philippines, destroying more than 20 million pesos (Dh1,560 million) worth of heavy equipment, police said yesterday.

The Maoist-led guerrillas seized guns, mobile phones and other valuables from engineers, workers and private guards at the road project in Bukidnon province on the southern island of Mindanao, said Teodorico Capuyan, regional police chief.

"The workers were pouring cement on the road when the rebels came, disrupted the work and burned all the heavy equipment," Capuyan said, adding it took some time before security forces learned about the incident.

"The rebels threatened the workers against seeking help and they also took their mobile phones and other communication equipment."

Capuyan said the road work in Bukidnon province was among the key infrastructure projects in the region. He said the attack on the road project could be linked to attempts by the rebels to extort "revolutionary taxation" from construction companies and other businesses.