Wednesday, March 12, 2008 NPA admits role in Masara attack
THE New People's Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for the recent attack on an international mining firm in Barangay Masara, Municipality of Maco in the province of Compostela Valley last Thursday evening.
In a press statement e-mailed to news outlets Tuesday, the rebel group said the attack was a "punishment imposed by the revolutionary government for the Norwegian mining firm's serious violations of the various restrictive and regulatory policies."
The statement, which was signed by Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the Merardo Arce Command of the Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command of the New People's Army, said the mining firm, which it identified as Crew Mineral Corporation, has allegedly violated provisions set forth by the rebel group on environment protection, security, and revolutionary taxation.
Further, it said their "punitive action" was their way of showing their "vigorous resistance" to the government's policy on an all-out exploitation and sell out of the country's mineral and other natural resources to multi-national firms.
The rebel group also reported that it was able to cart away five M16 armalite rifles, communication equipment, and three company-owned computer hardware.
The action was meant to deliver "a clear and strong message to the mining firm and other large-scale foreign mining firms in the country," the NPA claimed.
Moreover, the rebel group also lambasted the creation of the Investment Defense Force, as announced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"It only bolsters the fact that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is both a mercenary army and notorious guardian of capitalist greed," they said. (CPM/With Press release)
