45 NPA rebels burn logging truck in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY — About 45 suspected New People’s Army rebels set ablaze a ten-wheeler logging truck in Barangay Bit-os, Butuan City Thursday, according to belated reports reaching the Caraga regional information office. The logging truck owned by Butuan businessman Tata Tiu was loading logs at the vicinity of Raval Farm in Barangay Bit-os when about 45 armed men ordered the driver to make a detour closer to the more populated, commercialized part of Butuan City. Upon reaching the area, the armed suspects poured gasoline into the logging truck and burned it. The police said it is still investigating the incident. The Raval Farm is owned by Angelito Raval, retired director of the Caraga Regional Police. Barangay Bit-os is the city’s largest, most remote and mountainous village, which is bordered by the Agusan River. Butuan is the commercial and cultural center of the Caraga region.—Ben Serrano/DM, GMANews.TV