THE Minergy Power Corporation on Tuesday said the company was saddened by the aggressive stance of the New People’s Army (NPA) in disarming five of their security personnel in Barangay Quezon, Balingasgag, Misamis Oriental on Monday, August 19.
In a statement, Minergy said while the company feels saddened about the unfortunate incident, “it remains to have high hopes for lasting peace and progressive growth in communities affected by armed conflict.”
Police earlier said around 15 NPA fighters from Guerilla Front 4B blocked the guards at gunpoint while on their way to their outpost at a quarry site and forcibly took their AK47 rifles.
Investigators are still looking into the incident. But, the military raised the possibility that the rebel group wants to ask a revolutionary tax from the company.
Minergy said the incident occurred while the guards of the company’s contracted security services were going about with their regular morning routine in securing the private property owned by Minergy Power Corporation’s mother company.
They said a portion of the land was formerly utilized by the company as its source of filling materials for the land development works during the construction of Balingasag Power Station in 2014.
“The property, located approximately 12 kilometers from the power plant in Barangay Mandangoa, now serves as the company’s site for one of its reforestation projects, which grows native hardwood trees in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Northern Mindanao and the local government unit,”Minergy said.
“Since 2015, the company has been establishing and maintaining reforestation sites, as part of its commitment to safeguarding the environment,”it added.
The company claimed more than 3,500 native hardwood tree seedlings have been planted so far in barangay Quezon and Kibanban which benefited the local communities.
Minergy said the local communities have been their partner in seedling preparation to tree planting and growing.
“Minergy Power Corporation will continue to nurture strong partnerships with the local communities in advancing its commitment for social development,” part of the statement reads.