The New People’s Army (NPA) has denied any involvement in the burning of a sugarcane field around 4:30pm on Wednesday, March 11, in Purok 5, Sitio Hacienda Jose Baling, Barangay Libacao, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, which is leased by planter Wilfred D. Anglo.
In a statement on Friday, March 12, Ka Dionesio Magbuelas, spokesperson of the Romeo Nanta Command – New People’s Army (RNC-NPA) under the South Central Negros Guerrilla Front, rejected reports linking the group to the incident.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the incident damaged one hectare of more than 100-hectare sugarcane plantation under Anglo’s W.D. Agri Farm company.
Magbuelas said the incident may have been carried out by individuals taking advantage of an ongoing dispute related to sanctions imposed on the planter.
The rebel group claimed that burning plantations is not part of its policy when dealing with hacienda owners accused of abuses against farm workers or the revolutionary movement.
It added such actions could cause widespread and uncontrollable damage, potentially spreading to nearby plantations and residential areas, especially during the dry season.
The rebel command earlier imposed what they call “sanction” on Anglo over alleged labor issues, including low wages and a reported 10 percent weekly usurious interest charged through a labor contractor or “kabo.”
The group added that Anglo had been given time to address the workers’ demands, including those of regular laborers and workers under a piece-rate or “pakyaw” system.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.