2 killed in NPA raid on Compostela gold processing plant

DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels attacked a gold processing plant in Compostela Valley yesterday, killing the owner’s two bodyguards, despite promises by the military to protect mining companies from guerrilla raids, officials said.

At least a dozen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels stormed the compound of JB Management and Mining Corp. in Barangay Olaycon, Monkayo town, said Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy.

Monkayo Mayor Manuel Brillantes Jr., who owns the plant, was inside the compound at the time of the attack but escaped unhurt, Uy said.

Two bodyguards were shot and killed, he said. They were identified as Erwin Henares, 32, a security guard, and Dante Nonat, 30.

Army and police units, backed by military helicopters, were pursuing the rebels, said provincial police director Ronald de la Rosa.

The rebels reportedly led by certain Commanders Jazzy and Jinggoy arrived at the JB plant at around 8:15 a.m. on board a red Mitsubishi Strada with license plate LCZ-182, said Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, Southern Mindanao police director.

The vehicle was later found in Barangay Calape in neighboring Montevista town. Its driver was reportedly arrested.

Caro said the insurgents also fired at houses near the gold processing plant.

The rebels carted away an M-16 Armalite rifle and a caliber .45 pistol.

In recent months, the rebels have made a series of attacks on Brillantes’ estate on the foothills of Mt. Diwalwal, a gold-rich site.

Last week, five soldiers, three policemen and two militiamen were killed in a spate of NPA attacks in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said last month security forces were planning to provide better security to mining companies, including training and arming civilian militias to guard mine sites.

The rebels, who have made the mining region of the southern Philippines one of their strongholds, have stepped up raids on mining companies, accusing them of usurping land and violating rights of local tribesmen who oppose mining operations.

Rebel spokesman Gregorio Rosal, in a recent statement, vowed the NPA “will continue to carry out military action against big plunderous mining firms, especially those being secured by military and paramilitary units, and those directly engaged in outright violation of the peoples rights, interests and welfare.”

The guerrillas, now about 6,000 strong, have been fighting for a Marxist-led state for 40 years. They withdrew from peace talks in 2004 after accusing President Arroyo’s administration of instigating their inclusion on US and European Union terrorist lists.

Last year, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the military to crush the insurgency by the end of her term in 2010. – Edith Regalado