ITOGON, Benguet – The municipal council passed a resolution strongly condemning the dastardly act of still unidentified armed men believed to be members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in burning two trucks of the Philex mining corporation loaded with ore concentrate en route to its shipyard in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union at Ampucao last February 9, 2017.
In Resolution No. 126 dated March 28, 2017, the local legislative body cited that the town’s officialdom joins their constituents in condemning in the strongest terms, the alleged act of terrorism as the said act is a direct threat to the peaceful and harmonious climate of the town.
On February 9, 2017, the town’s officialdom was informed that members of an armed group believed to be NPAs allegedly burned two trucks of the Philex Mining corporation at sitioTapak, Ampucao.
The municipal council stated a portion of the Mount Ulap forest range of the same barangay which is a tourist area was also set on fire by the fleeing members of the armed group that caused forest fire and inflicted damaged to the mountain.
According to the resolution, the said incident caused panic and fear among the residents of the municipality and to the entire region considering that the attack on the trucks was done in broad daylight.
The municipal council expressed confidence that concerned law enforcement authorities will conduct a swift investigation of the said incident to identify the perpetrators of the contemptible act and bring them to justice for them to answer for the crime they committed. The resolution was approved by Mayor Victorio Palangadan as attested by Vice Mayor Adriano Carantes, Jr. Present during the meeting when the resolution was approved were Councilors Jodea Brendalyn Acay-Camuyot, Dante Allen Xavier D. Godio, Gerard S. Cornel, Arnel F. Bahingawan, Andres C. Panayo, Johnny G. Galutan, Norberto I. Pacio, Lison C. Latawan, Jr., Flordeliza G. Depayso and Purita C. Segundo.
By Elaine Diane De Vera and Jesus Essa Calacala III