NPA rebels raid banana plantation, aircraft damaged in Compostela Valley

Dole banana plantation (screenshot from YouTube footage by Reed Anderson)

MANILA — Troopers from the 10th Infantry Division are now pursuing a New People’s Army (NPA) band who detonated two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the hangar of a banana plantation in Compostela Valley, damaging a propeller-driven Cessna aircraft late Saturday night.

The incident took place at 11 p.m. at the DOLE banana plantation in Poblacion Maragusan, Compostela Valley, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson 1st Lt. Vergel Lacambra said.

The blast occurred near the bridge leading to the hangar airstrip, he added.

No one was reported injured but the Cessna sprayer aircraft sustained minor blast damage.

“Troops immediately proceeded at the blast site and secured the area. The Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion has already launched pursuit operations against the perpetrators believed to be from the NPA’s Front 27,” Lacambra said.

Extortion by the NPA is believed to be the motive behind the incident.

Meanwhile, Major Gen. Eduardo M. Año, 10th Infantry Division commander, condemned the attack and ordered ground units to intensify close coordination with local government officials, police stations and company security officers.

“These CPP-NPA’s banditry attacks against civilian entities which are non-military targets will not go unpunished,” he added.