Rebels justify attack on US mining company

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The New People’s Army unit operating in Southern Mindanao on Friday justified an attack by rebels on a US-based mining company in Compostela Valley as part of its campaign against exploitation by foreigners.

Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command, said Rusell Mines has been exploiting the resources of Compostela Valley through the St. Augustine Gold and Copper Mining to the detriment of the people.

St. Augustine is a partnership between Russell Mines and Nationwide Development Corp. (Nadecor) and operates a 1,663 hectare mining claim in the municipality of Pantukan.

“This NPA tactical offensive supports the people’s policy of defending the national patrimony against the onslaught of the US-driven imperialist globalization,” Sanchez said in a statement.

Security personnel of the mining company were escorting a geologist to work when they were stopped by NPA rebels at a roadblock in in the village of Kingking.

The rebels killed one of the security escorts before disarming the others, according to Senior Supt. Aaron Aquino, Compostela Valley police chief.

“One of the mining firm’s armed personnel who tried to give battle… was killed while the others who did not were left unhurt,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said the NPA will stage similar attacks in the coming days.

“We will continue to oppose the regime’s move to allow foreign monopolies to take over the country’s natural resources, especially mineral resources,” he said, criticizing the Aquino government for allowing large-scale mining companies to operate in Mindanao.