Communist rebels raid mining companies in Mindanao

Army Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza. Photo from https://rudedolfo.blogspot.com

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine military said communist rebels have raided two mining companies in the country’s south, disarming guards and burning equipment.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza said Saturday that New People’s Army guerrillas swooped late Friday on the Philex Mining Co. compound in Compostela Valley province. They torched two backhoes, two trucks and a drilling machine.

Paniza said hours later guerrillas raided the Milagrosa Mining compound in nearby Maragusan town, disarming the guards and burning three electric generators. No one was hurt in both attacks.

Last year the rebels stormed three mining companies. They destroyed equipment and seized weapons purportedly after warning the companies against destroying the environment and exploiting workers.