AFP won’t stop operations vs Reds

MANILA, Philippines - The military will stop any New People’s Army (NPA) offensive following a declaration of the National Democratic Front (NDF) that   the armed struggle would continue.

Speaking to reporters, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the military would not allow the NPA to jeopardize public safety.

“We will continue our focused military operations against them (rebels) because they continue to do a lot of atrocities not only to the Armed Forces of the Philippines but to the people themselves,” he said.

Zagala said the military will not allow the NPA to sow fear among the public.

“Our main objective really is to end all armed conflicts through peaceful means, but in the absence of peace talks, we will continue our efforts to end the armed struggle through other means,” he said.

The military is ready to help NPA rebels willing to surrender and to live peaceful lives,  Zagala said.

Philex stops operations

Philex Gold Mining Corp. has temporarily stopped mining operations in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental after the NPA raided the site last month.

Speaking to reporters at Shangri-La Hotel Makati, Philex chairman Manuel Pangilinan said: “We cannot afford to continue our operations (in Sipalay) knowing that the lives of our employees there are at risk because of NPA atrocities.”

Pangilinan said they will resume operations once   peace and order in southern Negros Occidental has stabilized.

They are concentrating on their mining operations in Benguet and Surigao del Norte with multi-million peso investments, he added.

In a statement on May 4, Philex said there were no casualties among its employees following the NPA attack.

“It is unfortunate that this incident happened, and we are unaware of the reasons why the rebels committed such acts of violence,” Philex said.

“The area of attack is 30 kilometers away from the company’s Bulawan gold project, which is now under care and maintenance through its subsidiary Philex Gold Philippines Inc.

“Philex Mining has reinforced security measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community while employees assigned at the Omas exploration site had been pulled out for safety and security.”

Philex said the Sipalay and Hinobaan municipal governments and the Negros Occidental provincial government have permitted and endorsed the explorations.

“While still onsite to monitor the mine facilities and ponds’ stability, Philex Mining continues to explore within the tenement for feasible ore resources,” Philex said.

“Environmental activities continue, including reforestation, solid waste management and establishment of Robusta coffee plantation with the support of its host and neighboring communities.”

It has been operating the Bulawan Project since 1990 through its subsidiary Philex Gold Phils. Inc., Philex added.

Philex Mining encompasses barangays Nabulao and Camindangan in Sipalay.

Last May 3, at least 30 suspected NPA members raided the Philex compound in Sitio Umas Barangay Camindangan, and burned two bunkhouses and equipment.

The following day, when 18 responding Army troops were in  hot pursuit, the NPA killed five of the soldiers and injured two others.

Following more than an hour of fighting, the NPA seized six high-powered firearms from the soldiers, including four M16, one M14 and one K3 rifles. – Alexis Romero, Danny Dangcalan