Rebels disarm mining firm’s security men, kill one

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – One person was killed when New People’s Army rebels disarmed security personnel of a mining company in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, while they were escorting a geologist to an exploration site early Thursday, police said.

Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Compostela Valley police chief, said security guard at the St. Augustine Gold and Copper Mining Co. identified only as Casiano was shot dead during the incident in Barangay (village) Kingking around 7 a.m.

Aquino said the security personnel and a geologist of the company were traveling on four motorcycles when they were flagged down by undetermined number of NPA rebels.

The rebels took away three US-made M4 Carbine rifles and ammunition from the guards and three V-87 Icom radios.

“One of the security personnel initially identified as a certain Casiano resisted during the disarming and was shot dead by the rebels,” Aquino said.

The company, jointly owned by the local mining firm Nationwide Development Corp. (Nadecor) and American Russell Mining, is currently conducting exploration work on its 1, 600-hectare mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) claim in Kingking and Napnapan villages in Pantukan.