MANILA, Philippines - Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas attacked a security post of a mining company after its officials reportedly refused to pay revolutionary taxes in Maco, Compostela Valley last Sunday.
1/Lt. Alexandre Cabeles, acting spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said around 30 rebels stormed the outpost of the Apex Mining Co. in Barangay Masara at around 7:30 p.m.
“They burned the outpost after the security guards abandoned it out of fear for their lives,” Cabeles said.
The rebels tried to burn a backhoe, but changed their mind when soldiers from the 46th Infantry Battalion arrived.
Cabeles said the rebels were able to escape by using two security guards as human shields. The guards were released in nearby Barangay New Leyte.