NPA rebels burn 20 vehicles, equipment of mining firm

From Rappler (Apr 11): NPA rebels burn 20 vehicles, equipment of mining firm

Armed men raid 5 facilities of the Apex mining complex in Maco, Compostela Valley

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Around 100 suspected communist rebels on Thursday, April 10, attacked a mining company in Maco, Compostela Valley, burning at least 20 vehicles and heavy equipment, according to police and military reports.

The armed men appeared to have simultaneously raided 5 facilities in the massive mining complex, according to the latest report from Capt Ernest Carolina, spokesman of the military's 10th Infantry Division, on Friday, April 11. (Editor's note: We published an initial report on this incident Thursday night, April 10)

At the compound's motor pool, the rebels burned a Toyota Hilux, an underground loader, one backhoe loader, one boom-truck and one self-loading truck, Carolina said.

At the Level Four office, a Toyota Fortuner, 2 pick-up trucks and one underground loader were also destroyed. One dump truck and one loader were torched at the Barabadan facility, while in Maligay, the rebels destroyed two drilling equipment and one shotcrete machine.

Carolina added that two dump trucks, two drilling equipment, two loaders, one mixer machine and 10 cap lamps were burned at the Level 840 facility of the mining company.

Target: Mining

The guerrillas are said to belong to the Pulang Bagani Company 3 of the communist New People's Army (NPA) led by a certain Ka Lando.

The suspects fled towards an unknown direction. No casualties were reported.

Police stations in the area remained on alert.

Guerrillas have attacked mining companies in the past. But they have also extorted from them.

Compostela Valley is one of the remaining bailiwicks of the NPA, whose suspected political leader, Benito Tiamzon, was arrested last month.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/55186-compostela-valley-apex-mining-rebels