Gov't troopers chase NPAs behind attack on Army detachment, banana plantation in N. Cotabato

MAKILALA, North Cotabato (PNA) -- Government troops are in hot pursuit of a band of New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels who allegedly harassed Monday night a military detachment and banana plantation here.Chief Insp. Elias Colonia, Makilala police chief, said about 30 guerillas armed with high-powered firearms simultaneously attacked around 9 p.m. the detachment of the Philippine Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion and adjacent Dole Stanfilco plantation, both in Barangay Luna Sur.In the process, the rebels burned two prime mover trucks and disarmed two security guards at the plantation with their issued firearms – a shotgun and two .38-caliber revolver.The latest occurrence has struck apprehension on the part of local villagers that Dole Stanfilco might shutdown its operation in the area and would result to massive unemployment.Luna Sur village councilor Virgilio Maambong said over 200 villagers are currently employed at the plantation as field workers. This is the second attack within the span of three years against Dole Stanfilco and word reached us that management is fretting on idea to close the firm,” Maambong said.Last 2013, NPA rebels also torched numerous heavy machineries inside the banana plantation during an attack. (PNA)