Reds torch Philex facilities, kill 5 troops in southern Negros Occidental

From InterAksyon (May 4): Reds torch Philex facilities, kill 5 troops in southern Negros Occidental

Communist rebels burned facilities of Philex Mining Corp. in southern Negros Occidental Friday evening and killed five soldiers and wounded two others who were engaged in clearing operations the next morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Ricardo dela Paz, acting provincial police director, identified the fatalities as team leader Corporal Aljun Francisco, Privates First Class Charlie Magne Jomento, Jan Granzo, Ramer Aguilario and Benjie Tolog, all of the 47rth Infantry Battalion.
The military later identified the wounded soldiers as Corporal Jovimar Lateza and PFC Rommel Agustino, who are now confined at a hospital in Kabankalan City.

Dela Paz said the rebels also seized six rifles from the soldiers.

The police officer said the burning of the mining firm’s facilities could have been a ruse to “draw in the Army … and engage them,” noting that the site of the clash in which the soldiers were killed or wounded was near the Philex compound.

Philex, in a statement released Saturday afternoon, confirmed the rebel raid on its exploration site and said a bunkhouse, an off-road vehicle and one generator set were burned.

"The area of attack is 30 kilometers away from the company's Bulawan gold project, which is now under care and maintenance through its subsidiary Philex Gold Philippines Inc.," the statement said, adding that no workers were harmed.

"Philex Mining has reinforced security measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community while employees assigned at the Umas exploration site had been pulled out for safety and security," the company said.

"It is unfortunate that this is incident happened and we are unaware of the reasons why the rebels committed such acts of violence," it added.

The firm said its exploration activities "are permitted and endorsed by its host local governments, Sipalay City and Hinobaan municipality, as well as (by) the provincial government ... It has been operating the Bulawan Project since 1990, through its subsidiary, Philex Gold Phils. Inc."

The Bulawan project began production in 1996 hut was shut down in 2002 when world gold prices slumped.

"While still onsite to monitor the mine facilities and ponds stability, Philex Mining continues to explore within the tenement for feasible ore resources. Environmental activities continue, including reforestation, solid waste management and establishment of Robusta coffee plantation with the support of its host and neighboring communities," the company said.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. condoled with the families of the slain soldiers and called on the rebels to “go down” and “talk peace” with the government.

“Our enemies are not each other but hunger and poverty,” he told InterAksyon.com. 

Southern Negros is a traditional stronghold of the New People’s Army.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/60977/reds-torch-philex-facilities-kill-5-troops-in-southern-negros-occidental