NPA admits torching mining firm’s heavy equipment in Negros Oriental

At least P120 million worth of heavy equipment owned by Cebu-based Pilipinas Eco-Friendly Mining Corp. have been burned down by communist rebels in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BACOLOD CITY – At least 30 communist rebels burned 11 heavy equipment and two generator sets worth P120 million owned by a Cebu-based mining company in Barangay Jandalamon, Ayungon town in Negros Oriental early Wednesday morning.

The Mt. Cansermon Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) issued a statement on Thursday, claiming responsibility for torching seven back hoes, two loaders, a grader, a bulldozer and two generator sets of Pilipinas Eco-Friendly Mining Corp (PEMC).

In a statement, Ka Dionesio Magbuelas, spokesperson of the Mt.Cansermon Command, claimed mining operations of PEMC, which has supplied silica to cement factories in Cebu for 15 years, had destroyed the environment in Ayungon.

He added its mining operations destroyed about 2,000 hectares of farm lots and rice fields.

The mining site is about 17 kilometers away from the town proper of Ayungon.

But Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said he believed the attack was due to management’s failure to give in to extortion demands of communist rebels.

The management, however, said they had not received any threats or demand letters from NPA.

In May last year, same rebel group claimed responsibility for burning heavy equipment owned by a private construction company in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental. /kga