Armed group attacks banana plantation in North Cotabato; 2 backhoes burned

An armed group attacked a banana plantation in North Cotabato on Sunday, the Philippine Army Eastern Mindanao Command said Monday.

According to Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of EastMinCom, the armed group, allegedly led by Sukarno Sultan and Lingguna Sultan, attacked the Delinanas Banana Plantation in Tulunan town Two backhoes burned during the attack.

Soldiers from the 39th Infantry Battalion and local police were dispatched to respond to the attack, killing one attacker.

Police are also working on identifying the armed group responsible for the attack.

Quoting civilians in the area, Caber said the attack was part of an extortion attempt "aggravated by a land dispute." — JDS, GMA News