'Cagayan Valley mining firms lack security’

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) have expressed alarm over the apparent lack of security personnel in mining companies in the Cagayan Valley region.

MGB regional director Mario Ancheta made the statement over the weekend following a recent attack on one of the companies, which resulted in the burning of millions of pesos worth of property.

Ancheta said heavy equipment and facilities owned by Nickel Asia Co. in Dinapigue, Isabela were torched by alleged members of the New People’s Army.

Maj. Gen. Lysander Suerte, chief of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID), said more than 30 NPA rebels raided the mining compound.

Suerte said the rebels took away the security guards’ firearms.

“Rebels have been burning equipment whenever companies do not give in to their demands,” Suerte said.

Ancheta said he has asked the 5ID based in Gamu, Isabela to help secure the region’s mining industry, particularly in Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

“We have seen the need for the military to augment the security personnel of these mining companies,” he said.

There are three major companies engaged in gold, copper and nickel mining in the region. These are the OceanaGold Corp. in Didipio village at the boundary of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya, the FCF Minerals Corp. in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya and the Nickel Asia Co.

Ancheta said he suspended Nickel Asia’s operations until after the company fixes its security measures and addresses environmental issues.