Ex-generals’ war emerging in Zamboanga Sur mining site
PAGADIAN CITY—A security agency contracted by a mining firm that has been declared illegally operating in a Zamboanga del Sur town sued another security agency for a raid on the former’s compound.
The dispute is turning out to be a war between two ex-generals as the complaining agency is owned by retired general Alexander Yapching while the sued agency is owned allegedly by the family of retired general Jovito Palparan Jr.
On Tuesday, Yapching filed a complaint against Palparan at the Ombudsman Mindanao for alleged usurpation of authority, grave coercion, robbery and malicious mischief.
Yapching’s 12-page suit stemmed from the June 22 raid conducted by personnel of Palparan’s 24 Oras Security Agency on a compound being occupied by guards of Yapching’s AY76 Security Specialists.
24 Oras works for Bayog 9 metals while AY76 provides security for Lupah Pigegetawan Mining, which has been declared illegally operating in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
MGB has ordered Lupah to leave the area after declaring its operations illegal.
Article continues after this advertisementWhile Lupah has since ceased operation, AY76 continues to operate in the area in the guise of protecting the ancestral domain of the Subanens, who are being passed off as Lupah’s owners under the Indigenous Peoples Act.
Article continues after this advertisementOn June 22, 24 Oras guards stormed the AY76 compound and seized high-powered firearms, including AK47s.
In his complaint at the Ombudsman, Yapching said Palparan and his men connived with local officials to conduct the raid. He said the raid was illegal.
Palparan was not available for comment but Richard Lapira, Bayog 9 Metals representative, said his office would comment after receiving an official copy of the complaint. Tito Fiel and Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
