Armed men in the Philippines clashed with soldiers after raiding a banana plantation in the south of the country, according to Mindanaoexaminer.com. 

The men were reported to have attacked the Delinanas Banana Plantation, a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce Philippines, and torched two backhoes in the farm in the North Cotabato province.

The story reported the fighting lasted about one hour, during which time one of the raiders was allegedly killed.

While the motive of the attack is unknown, some reports said a land dispute with the farm could be one of the explanations, while others have said extortion could be the motive behind the raid.

Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz is reported to have told security forces to stay vigilant and intensify the operations against the raiders, the story reported.

He was quoted as saying the command was doing its best to protect the socio-economic and industrial centers and secure their people and their ways of life from unnecessary threats and intimidation by lawless criminals.

The story reported that no other details were made available by the military or the police on the background of the raiders.

Bananas and pineapples are among the southern Philippines' biggest exports, according to Mindanaoexaminer.com.

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