‘Rebels who attacked mines tried to ambush Caraga police chief’

MANILA, Philippines—A group of communist rebels tried to ambush Caraga Regional Police Director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal at the height of the battle between the military troops and the Communist New People’s Army early evening on Monday after the communist rebels made a series of attacks on three mining companies—Taganito Mining Corp., Platinum Metals Group Corporation and THPAL Mining Co.—in Claver, Surigao del Norte, police said.

According to Caraga police spokesman Superintendent Martin Gamba, the five-car convoy of Rafal that was on its way to Surigao from its headquarters in Police Regional Office-13, was stormed with gunshots by a group believed to be the Guerrilla Foce-21, one of the rebel groups that raided the mining firms.

Gamba said that there was an exchange of gunfire until the convoy safely passed the rebels.

No injuries from the convoy were reported.—Jamie Marie Elona