NPA wrecks mining laboratory, tailings dam in Benguet – police

From Rappler (Jun 9): NPA wrecks mining laboratory, tailings dam in Benguet – police

The Cordillera Philippine National Police says the Chadli Molintas Command based in Benguet also engaged the 54th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division in a brief firefight, wounding one soldier and a civilian



DESTROYED. The New People's Army is said to have destroyed a mining laboratory and a tailings dam in Benguet. Photos by Frank Cimatu
BENGUET, Philippines – The police admitted Friday, June 9, that New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas were responsible for the destruction of a mining laboratory owned by a Chinese investor and the tailings dam of the Lepanto Mining Corporation in Mankayan, Benguet late Wednesday evening.

The Cordillera Philippine National Police said the Chadli Molintas Command based in Benguet also engaged the 54th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division in a brief firefight, wounding one soldier and a civilian.

The police said they made their investigation at 4:00 am of Thursday. They added the floating copper processor located in Sitio Cabatuan in Colalo village and owned by Chinese investor Xian Jinrui Lianliungang was destroyed by the NPA using explosives.

Also destroyed were the newly-built police outpost and a backhoe owned by Colalo Chairman Ambino Padawi.



 WRECKED BUILDING. Photo by Frank Cimatu.

The police also interviewed the Chief Security of Lepanto Mining Division and they learned that the lime mixing plant and a Bulldozer owned by Flores Construction were also destroyed through explosives. Two unexploded bombs were left below a bulldozer and backhoe.

The police recorded the testimonies of two security guards posted at Dam 5 Gate and Quarry Area that the guerrillas, composed of 6 males and a female, approached them and took their hand-held radio with charger, hunting knife and pistol holder. They then tied their hands with a packing tape. They then proceeded to bomb the backhoe and plant.

The NPA guerrillas also engaged 6 members of the Philippine Army deployed at Dam 5.

Private First Class (PFC) Arthur Bag-ay, 38, was injured by shrapnel on the nape, while Jerson Guisguiswoang Awini, a Mankayan resident, was hit by a stray bullet on the right thigh. Awini was brought to the Luis Hora Hospital in Abatan, Bauko, Mt. Province and is now in stable condition.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/172486-npa-wrecks-mining-laboratory-tailings-dam-benguet