NPA attacks mining firm, burns P50-M worth of mining equipment
BUTUAN CITY -- Security forces are in pursuit operations against the desperate New People’s Army (NPA) who set ablaze half a dozen of heavy equipment worth P50 million on July 15 in Brgy. Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte.
Police
BGen. Romeo Caramat, Jr., regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)
13, lambasted the attack of an estimated 20 fully armed members of Guerilla
Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee under alias Jacob at
Platinum Groups Mining Corporation compound around 12:00 noon.
Investigation
revealed that four backhoes owned by Cagdianao Construct Development Inc. and
two backhoes owned by Queens Contractor were destroyed in the attack causing
fear to the workers and nearby residents.
“The
desperate act of terror of the NPA shows that they have truly lost their
ideology and concern among the people. They targeted a legitimate company which
is one of the sources of livelihood of the people in the area. The resistance
of the company to give in to their extortion demand might be the reason of
torching the heavy equipment,” BGen. Caramat said.
He also
ensured that there will be no let-up on operations until the perpetrators are
caught to answer for the commission of crime.
NPA
terrorists, a threat to the development of the country's mining industry, have
vigorously conducting extortion through their usual modus operandi of
destroying the properties.
On June
24, 2021, the NPA also burned heavy equipment and killed a civilian in Brgy
Zone 2, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur when the reds barged into the bunkhouse of MR1
construction and set two backhoes on fire.
PRO13 is calling on all the Caraganons to help the government troops in foiling the attack of the enemies of the state by providing relevant information to save more lives and properties. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak, PIO, PRO13/PIA-Suriago del Norte)
