Raid on mining facilities has repercussions on peace talks—Robredo

MANILA, Philippines—Last Monday’s attacks by the New People’s Army on three mining companies in Claver, Surigao del Norte, may have serious implications for the peace talks with the communists, Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo warned  Friday.

“The fact is there might be a backlash because in the eyes of the police and the military, what is the point of the negotiations if the other party does not respect the peace talks,” Robredo told reporters.

Robredo, who has supervisory authority over the Philippine National Police, said operations to pursue the more than 200 NPA rebels who raided the mining facilities, burning buildings, heavy equipment and barges worth hundreds of millions of pesos.

Robredo said action of the NPA rebels could not help but cast doubt about their seriousness in achieving lasting peace with the government and ending the 43-year-old communist insurgency.

“We can’t help but have some doubts,” Robredo told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference at the Department of the Interior and Local Government offices in Quezon City.

But when asked if he believed the National Democratic Front had sanctioned the attacks, Robredo said: “I can’t speak for them but then we are hopeful [that this will be resolved]. We will continue with the peace process.”

Robredo said the PNP was conducting a security assessment of mines that might be vulnerable to more attacks. “We don’t want to reveal exactly what we will do but then I can… assure them we will do what is necessary,” he said.

He said he has met with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines to bring up allegations by the communists that the mine companies were violating environmental laws.

“We need to address this. In fact, we also discussed the need to engage with nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations that advocate for responsible mining,” Robredo said.

The long term effect of the Surigao del Norte attacks, he said, “will depend on our response.”

“In fact, the President has directed us to attend to all of these initiatives both in the short term, the near term and the long term and toward this end we have done a lot,” he said.