Armed rebels believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have attacked a pineapple plantation in T’boli, South Cotabato, the Sun Star reports.
The plantation belonged to Dolefil, the local subsidiary of US food giant Dole.
The incident occurred on 26 November at 4pm, the military reported the following day.
While no one was killed or injured during the attack, the rebels set fire to a farm tractor worth PHP5m (US$115,000).
The tractor’s driver Fidel Taton was also held at gunpoint by three masked assailants, who stated their affiliation with the NPA.
The rebels also told Taton their attack on the plantation was retribution for the management’s failure to heed their demands of revolutionary tax payment.
According to the plantation’s security officer, no NPA rebel demands have been received.
Attacks on plantations have become a recurring tactic for rebel or separatist groups in the country.
President Aquino’s government attempted to revive peace talks earlier this year, but these were announced to have collapsed at the end of April.
