BUTUAN CITY (Philippines) - COMMUNIST insurgents in the southern Philippines attacked a congressman's poultry farm, setting it on fire and killing 8,000 chickens, a local official said on Thursday.

Guerrillas of the communist New People's Army (NPA) raided the poultry farm of Congressman Florencio Garay in Tagbina town in Mindanao late on Tuesday, said provincial administrator Johnny Pimentel.

It was the second time NPA guerrillas have attacked and burned a business establishment in the southern Philippines in less than a week.

On Monday, some 50 heavily-armed NPA fighters set fire to equipment at a construction company in Hinatuan town, according to the military and police.

The motive for the attacks is not yet clear but in the past, communist rebels have attacked rural businesses for refusing to pay extortion demands.

The 5,200-member NPA has been waging a Maoist guerrilla campaign for 40 years. -- AFP