Philippine police have arrested three communist rebels alleged to have been involved in the Feb. 19 attacks on Del Monte and Dole operations, website Rappler.com reported.

Local media reports vary in the amount of people involved in the raid, ranging from 100-150 New People's Army soldiers who attacked Del Monte Philippines' Manolo Fortich compound and Dole-Stanfilco's warehouse in Impasugong, both in Bukidnon, Mindanao.

The Del Monte-targeted violence led to the death of a security guard and injuries for three others, as well as PHP27.5 million (US$674,995) in damages from burnt equipment and destroyed property, website Interaksyon.com reported.

The government's Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said Del Monte’s fertilizer warehouse and logistics office at Vista Villa in a neighboring town were also destroyed and burned.

A military source told Rappler that as the rebels fled to the mountains they ambushed and disarmed policemen in a patrol car and stole their weapons.

Maj. Gen. Nestor Anonuevo told Interaksyon that rebels caused PHP2.5 million (US$61,363) in damages to Dole, which the PIA attributed to the scavanging and looting of buildings with the theft of cell phones, laptops and other valuables.

National Democratic Front spokesperson in Mindanao, Jorge Madlos, told local radio that the NPA raided Del Monte's operations as he blamed the company for deforestation that contributed to flash flooding in Cagayan de Oro City in December 2011.

Regional police spokesman Senior Supt Fracis Cariaga said the three suspects - Roberto Cesto, Gary Balangiao and Valeriano Anonsaon Jr - were arrested in seperate operations, Rappler reported.

The Philippine military estimates the NPA has around 4,000 men and 60 guerilla fronts.

Photo: InterAksyon

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