BUTUAN CITY -- The New People’s Army (NPA), in a statement on Thursday, October 26, has claimed responsibility for the attack on a quarry here which saw the torching of heavy equipment amounting to some P9 million.
Released by the rebel group’s North Central Mindanao Regional (NCMR) command, the statement claimed that NPA rebels under the Western Agusan del Norte–Agusan del Sur (WANAS) Subregional Command mounted the attack against the quarry firm for supposed "crimes against the environment."
The quarry is operated by the Gil M. Cembrano (GMC) construction company.
“The WANAS operatives paralyzed four backhoes, a dump truck and a pay loader of GMC on October 21 at around 1:00 morning in Purok 7, Barangay Bonbon, Butuan City. The punitive action aims to punish the company to the destruction they brought to the environment due to their quarry operations. According to reports, the GMC plans to expand their operation, which would completely result to demolition and dislocation of the residents,” Ka Omar Ibarra, a spokesperson for the communists, said.
Ibarra also claimed that the rebels killed 12 soldiers in two clashes following the quarry attack.
“The WANAS launched another two harassments against the soldiers of the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Purok 4, Barangay Nongnong, Butuan City. The first transpired at 7:10 in the morning and the second followed at around 12 in the afternoon killing 12 soldiers,” Ibarra said.
The Army has denied the rebels’ claims.
Information from Captain Regie Go, Civil Military Operation Officer (CMO) of the 402-Brigade, earlier said that a soldier was wounded but no soldier was killed.
Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) for his part, said the burning incident is an isolated case.
"Ang hindi nakikita dito ay yung mga failed attacks ng NPA, marami na din tayong na-deter, yung mga na-deter natin ay dahil proactive ang reporting ng mga companies, may mga nakakalusot nga lang, pero these are actually isolated cases," Martinez said.
Martinez advised security personnel of private companies to heighten their security measures, and that training for security guards and patrolling in critical areas should be regular.
"Actually we have already reminded their security personnel, continuing naman ang security discussion at collaboration, yung companies is doing the security measures and protocols, we just have to continue our proactive measures," he said.
"Kung kailangan ireport kaagad, ireport na dapat," he added. (With reports from PJ Orias)