NPA burn mining firm’s equipment in ComVal, sets off IED

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels burned the heavy equipment in Sitio Lumanggang and blasted the electric substation of the Apex Mining Company in Sitio Sta Clara, both of New Leyte in Maco, Compostela Valley, at 8:45 p.m. Sunday.

Capt. Alberto Caber, chief of the public information office of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said an estimated 30 NPA members planted an improvised explosive device, which exploded at the company’s electric substation in Sitio Sta Clara, also of Barangay New Leyte.

Caber said the rebels abducted two personnel of Apex Mining but eventually released them after burning a backhoe also owned by the company in the area.

Soldiers belonging to the 46th IB and the local police have been pursuing the rebels, Caber said.