NPA ATTACKS MINING FIRM, BURNS P50M WORTH OF MINING EQUIPMENT

Security forces are in pursuit operations against the desperate New People’s Army (NPA) who set ablaze half a dozen of heavy equipment worth P50 million on July 15 in Brgy. Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Brigadier General Romeo M. Caramat, Jr., regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 lambasted the attack of an estimated 20 fully armed members of Guerilla Front 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee under alias “Jacob” at Platinum Group Mining Corporation compound around 12:00 noon.

Investigation revealed that four backhoes owned by Cagdianao Construct Development Inc. and two backhoes owned by Queens Contractor were destroyed in the attack causing fear to the workers and nearby residents.

“The desperate act of terror of the NPA shows that they have truly lost their ideology and concern to the people. They targeted a legitimate

company which is one of the sources of livelihood of the people in the area,” said BGen. Caramat.

He also disclosed that the resistance of the company to give in to their extortion demand might be the reason of torching the heavy equipment.

BGen. Caramat ensured that there will be no let up on operations until the perpetrators are caught to answer for the commission of crime.

NPA terrorists, a threat to the development of the country’s mining industry, have vigorously conducting extortion through their usual modus operandi of destroying the properties.

On June 24, 2021, the NPA also burned heavy equipment and killed a civilian in Brgy. Zone 2, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur when the NPA terrorists barged into the bunkhouse of MR1 construction and set two backhoes on fire.

PRO13 is calling on all the Caraganons to help the government troops in foiling the attack of the enemies of the state by providing relevant information to save more lives and properties. (PMaj. Dorothy M. Tumulak, Public Information Officer, PRO13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)