Philippine banana growers make plea for help amid revolutionary army killings - FreshFruitPortal.com

Philippine banana growers make plea for help amid revolutionary army killings

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Philippine banana growers make plea for help amid revolutionary army killings

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) on the Philippine island of Mindanao have called on government intervention after attacks from alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members on banana and pineapple farms, Malaya Business Insight reported.

An ARB representative told the publication the attacks had allegedly resulted in killings, arson and deliberate disruption of business operations for those who refused to pay revolutionary taxes.

"We ask the government to please step up its protection of farm workers and businesses and to go after these lawless elements," ARB spokesperson Eduardo Maningo told the publication in a statement.

"The safety of our families and our livelihood is threatened. If the government fails to address this problem, businesses can leave and we will lose our jobs," Maningo was quoted as saying.

Maningo told the publication the attack last week targeted Dole facilities at its plantation in General Santos City with estimated damages of P6.9 million (US$137,573).

The story reported an anonymous banana industry investor questioned why this could happen when agricultural development was a government priority.

"The continuous harassment and extortions by the NPAs prove otherwise," the anonymous investor was quoted as alleging.

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