The prosecution of suspects involved in the recent burning and destruction of two sugarcane transloading stations in Brgy. San Jose, Toboso, Negros Occidental, hit a snag with police investigators having difficulty in identifying them.

Even the two witnesses, the caretaker and guard of the Lopez Sugar Corp. and Victorias Milling Co., who were present during the simultaneous raids, are hesitant to cooperate with the authorities for security reasons. Toboso police chief Inspector Nestor Tuadles, however, said this is “understandable”.

Damage was placed by the police at P4.8 million.

Tuadles said the armed suspects left behind leaflets at the scene of incident, claiming responsibility for the destruction of properties of the two sugar mills.

The two adjacent transloading stations are about 1.5 kilometers away from a military outpost stationed in Brgy. San Isidro, Toboso that was occupied by the 15th Infantry Battalion, a week before the incident.

Tuadles said the rebels may have temporarily shifted their forces to the lowlands, to avoid the military operations in the mountains of northern Negros.

Police investigations also show that the suspects are Cebuano-speaking.

Tuadles said the operations of the two transloading stations are now back to normal.

Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, chief of the PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations, had earlier urged police units to exert more efforts in “winning the hearts and minds” of the people.*GPB

back to top