Rebels raid mining firm in Surigao del Norte and abducts employees–police

MANILA, Philippines—Employees of a mining firm, including at least three managers, were abducted by rebels after it raided the compound of a mining firm in Surigao del Norte Monday morning, officials said Monday.

According to Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintended Agrimero Cruz, a resident manager, some VIPs and security personnel were abducted by the armed rebels from the Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) compound in Claver, Surigao del Norte at 10 a.m. Monday.

He added that two managers were also taken by the rebels on board a gray Grandia and proceeded to the project area of Taganito in Hayanggabon, Claver.

According to Cruz, two trucks of the mining corporation were also burned down.

Joint elements of the Hayanggabon Patrol Base, 13th Region Public Safety Battalion and Claver Municipal Police Station, among others, has been sent to the area for reinforcement, Cruz said.

Earlier, Colonel Rodrigo Diapana, brigade commander of the 402nd Infantry Battalion based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur said some 70 rebels wearing police uniforms and on board two dump trucks swooped down on the compound of Taganito Mining Corp. Monday morning. In a separate report, the Caraga Police said that at least 200 armed rebels attacked the mining firm and abducted several managers.

Meanwhile, two Huey helicopters of the Philippine Air Force from Davao City took off for air support to the responding troops.

The PNP spokesman said that aside from the Taganito Mining Corporation, its sister-company, the Platinum Metals Group Corporation in Sitio (sub-village) Kinalablaban, Cagdianao, Claver was also attacked by around 200 fully armed rebels. Its security guards were disarmed, Agrimero added.

Diapana said they have yet to determine the extent of damage as a result of the raid as military operations were still ongoing.

Other rebel groups also conducted road blocks at Baoy Bridge, boundery of Claver-Gogaquit in Barangay (village) Hayanggabo; Sitio (sub-village) Capangdan in Barangay Urbiztondo; and Claver Public Cemetery.

TMC is one of the country’s leading exporters of nickel ore to Japan, China and Australia.