NPAs kill 4 guards, burn mining equipment in Surigao del Norte

More or less 200 communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels yesterday attacked three mining companies in Surigao del Norte province, killing four security guards, burning down millions worth of heavy equipment, the military said.

The killed security guards were not identified at press time.

Army 4th ID chief Maj. Gen. Victor Felix immediately directed all out pursuit operations against the rebel band.

Elements of the 402nd Brigade are now scouring the area, running after the NPAs.

“I have ordered our troops to actively pursue the rebels who are responsible in these attacks. All available resources are now being utilized by the division to help stabilize the situation in the area,”Felix said.

Army 4th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV said that more or less 200 fully-armed NPA rebels, led by a certain Artem/Doming initially attacked Taganito Mining Corporation located in Barangay Taganito, Claver town around 9 a.m.

Osias said the several mining equipment and other valuables were burned down by the rebels, believed to be belonging to the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 16 of the North eastern Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Immediately after, Osias said that the same rebel band went to 4K Mining site in nearby Barangay Cadianao also in Claver and set valuables on fire.

Around 12:30 p.m., the NPA rebels also attacked TH Pal Mining, a sister company of Taganito Mining Corporation, also in Claver.

Osias said that separate NPA band established blocking points in several barangays in Claver and Gugaquit towns to block responding elements of the Army.

At press time, Osias said that 10 dump trucks, eight backhoes and two barges have been burned down by the rebels. The guest house of Taganito Mining Corporation was also set ablaze.

Osias said that initial reports indicated that extortion was the motive behind the communist attack.

“It is very evident that the NPAs are operating not because of any ideology or principle but because they are driven by their selfish interests for financial gains,” Osias said. –Mario J. Mallari, Daily Tribune