MARIHATAG,
Surigao Sur: National Democratic
Front (NDF) spokesman for Mindanao Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos warned impenitent
mining firms that NPA rebels will not hesitate to attack them again if necessary.
Madlos’
warning was given during 46th founding anniversary of the communist bloc CPP-NPA;
who staged an attacked to mining firms in 2011.
The
warning is also sharp to other destructive small scale mining activities
operating in Caraga region, the NPA spokesperson said.
The
NPA will attack and not hesitate to burn their equipment again if they continue
their anti-environment, anti-people mining activities, Madlos stressed.
Instead
of protecting people and environment, they are protecting greedy people and
vested interests, explained 68-year old NPA leader.
He
added the many on-going energy projects under PPP scheme in Caraga “will be
taken by the communist rebels if it continues to violate property rights of
private individuals and IP rights,” he said.
Last
2011, an estimated 300 fully armed NPA rebels attacked Taganito Mining, Platinum
Group of Metals Corporation (PGMC) and three other mining firms and burned
nearly 100 heavy equipment and cargo trucks.
In
the same year, the NPA also attacked mining firm’s depots, areas and offices in
Claver, Surigao del Norte which resulted in heavy losses and damages.
The
government, PNP and the military described the 2011 attacks as “acts of
terrorism.”
But
Ka Oris dismissed such allegations, saying this came from “reactionary forces”
saying the NPA rebels have been issuing many warnings for years to correct
their destructive ways by mining firms.
He
explained such destructive mining activities cost millions of pesos in damages
to environment, displaces many people particularly the lumads, destroys rivers
and seas even rice farms and agricultural lands and most of all divide the IPs through
divide and rule tactics that caused conflict until now. (WITH NEWS REPORT FROM Ben Serrano)