Leftist rebels storm ComVal gold mining firm

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Leftist rebels attacked a foreign mining firm in Mindanao this afternoon, burning several vehicles and pieces of equipment, local police said.

Some 25 New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas swooped down on the Apex Mining Company at Teresa and Masara villages, Maco town, in Mindanao's Compostela Valley province, burning four utility vehicles and two drilling equipment, according to Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, Compostela Valley police chief.

Cascolan told Xinhua by text message that the 2 p.m. attack was led by a certain Rolando Ginelsa (alias Lando) of the NPA's Pulang Bagani (Red Warrior) Company 3.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or injuries, he added.

Malaysian firm Mindanao Gold Ltd. owns over 30 percent stake of the Manila-listed gold and copper mining company Apex, which is among the largest in the Philippines.

The police official said local soldiers and police were now conducting pursuit operations against the attackers in the area.

Leftist rebels have stepped up attacks against government forces and businesses in southern Philippines in recent months.