Philippines bananas

Communist rebels have wreaked havoc on one of Dole’s Philippine plantations in the troubled Surigao del Sur province in north-east Mindanao.

Local authorities said some 15,000 banana palms 'with fruits ready for harvest' were lost in an attack on the plantation in Anahao Daan village, Tago, on Saturday night.

Caraga police spokesperson, superintendent Martin Gamba, said the attack caused millions of pesos damage to the plantation, owned by Dole-Stanfilco, and surrounding properties.

As they left, the rebels, believed to be members of the New People’s Army, also fired at four backhoes and a mini bulldozer parked along the road.