NPA owns up to burning of Isabela mining firm equipment

CAUAYAN CITY — The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the Oct. 28 attack on the equipment of the Geogen-Nickel Asia Mining Corporation in coastal Dinapigue town in Isabela.

In a statement, the NPA’s Reynaldo Piñon Command, which operates in Isabela, admitted burning heavy equipment and high-end utility vehicles of the mining firm in Barangay Dimaluadi Wednesday morning.

Ka Dasig, the unit’s spokesman, said it was a retaliation for the alleged abuses and dangerous activities of the mine, as well as for ignoring the rebel’s demand for revolutionary taxes.

Isabela police said the fire gutted two sports utility vehicles and three other cars, a bulldozer, five backhoes, a pay loader, and a pickup truck.

The NPA also disarmed the mine’s security guards and took away four shotguns, a 9mm pistol and a Cal. 38 revolver.

Ramil Abugen, company head security guard, said 30 armed men had stormed the compound on Wednesday, and handed them a letter addressed to Mayor Reynaldo Dirije which denounced the mining operations. AU