Samar rebels disrupt infra project

(Heavy Equipment Burn by NPA REBELS)

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar--At least 20 members of the New Peoples Army attacked the Hanjin-Yakal quarry in Barangay Vigan, Gen MacArthur, Eastern Samar at around 9 a.m. Wednesday in the wake of destruction left by Typhoon Ruby.

An update from Major Gen. Jet Velarmino, the army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the rebels took over the premises along the Binalay river and burned the company’s backhoe and three dump trucks after seven employees were ordered to leave.

The Hanjin-Yakal is a joint venture under Millennium Challenge Account Philippines which started construction projects in Eastern Samar in April 2013. It is widening the road for P19 million from the municipality of Llorente  Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

“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 said.

“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.”

Hanjin is a Korean shipbuilding firm operating the Subic Shipyard which produces container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers while Ormoc City-based Yakal Construction is into infrastructure including bridges, ports, and airports.

Source:http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/12/samar-rebels-disrupt-infra-project/