MEMBERS OF the New People’s Army (NPA), an armed communist group, attacked and damaged late last week Helios Solar Energy Corp.’s 132.5-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, authorities reported over the weekend. The NPAs, estimated at 17, used hand grenades, M203 grenade launchers, and rifles to strike at the facility, considered as the biggest solar farm in Southeast Asia. Damaged were 90 solar power panels situated at the southern portion of the farm and a CCTV camera. Lieutenant Colonel Darrell R. Bañez, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, estimated the damage at P3.1 million. He urged the public to report sightings of armed men in their areas as he condemned the “barbaric act” of the NPA. The P10-billion facility with 427,392 solar panels is located in a 176-hectare area. It was inaugurated in March this year. Cadiz City Mayor Patrick G. Escalante said based on police investigations, the NPA tried to extort money from the company. Mr. Escalante called on the military and the police to step up efforts to ensure the security of investments in the city. Mr. Bañez said soldiers, in coordination with the police 6th Special Action Battalion and Regional Public Safety Battalion 18, are pursuing the suspects. — The Freeman
