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BACOLOD CITY : About 20 suspected members of the New
People’s Army raided Philex Gold Mining Corp., disarming security
guards and hauling off communication equipment at Sitio Vista Alegre,
Barangay Nabulao, Sipalay City.
Philex Mines, the biggest mining
company in the province, were caught unaware when the rebels, armed
with high-powered firearms, barged on unsuspecting guards and
employees at about 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Sr. Insp. Arnel Arcon, city
police chief said the suspects, led by a woman amazon, started
burning down the guardhouse and two bunkhouses owned by the United
Paraffin Drillings.
Arcon said witnesses claimed that
in less than 20 minutes, the rebels disarmed two guards, carting off
one shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver as well as a radio base,
radios and cellphones of the present employees.
“There were scores of employees
and while no one was hurt in the process, all of them lost their
cellphones,” Arcon said.
Security guard, Noel Binigay said
the rebels were armed with M-14 and M-16 rifles. “They told us not
to make any moves and what they are doing was in response to a
complaint they got about the mining company.”
Arcon said damage to property is
estimated to be at P1.5 million.
Police are investigating the case
and have ordered a pursuit operation against the fleeing suspects.
--Ma. Ester L Espina
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