The Romeo Nanta Command-New People’s Army (RNC-NPA) on Sunday, July 6, claimed responsibility for burning two dump trucks and a backhoe in Sitio Medel, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Friday.
The heavy equipment reportedly owned by Barangay Captain Mildred Titular, was being used at her quarry, it said.
The NPA stated the equipment was worth P11 million, while the Himamaylan Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) estimated the damage at P9 million.
The NPA justified the act by claiming the quarry operations have severely damaged the Paniplan River, causing it to deepen and leading to water loss in surrounding fields.
This has negatively impacted the livelihoods of local farmers and made river crossings difficult for residents, the NPA claimed.
The group stated that the burning serves as a warning against prioritizing profit over human rights and community livelihoods.
Meanwhile, fire investigators from the BFP-Himamaylan are conducting a full investigation into the incident.
FO2 Ronel Ivan Labansauan, BFP Himamaylan Chief Investigator, confirmed that ash samples from the scene will be sent to the BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City for forensic examination to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
Titula could not be reached for comment.*