Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) has scored the October 3 attack on three mining companies in Claver, Surigao del Norte that left three people dead.
PMSEA, an organization that espouses occupational safety and environmental protection in mining operations, said the attackers also took several mining company executives but released them unharmed in the afternoon of the same day.
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TITLE: Mine safety group slams raid
SOURCE: Tempo
By: Tempo
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The attackers also burned 10 dumptrucks, eight backhoes, two barges, and a staff building, destroyed office equipment, and carted away firearms seized from mine security personnel.
PMSEA, which promotes responsible mining and unites companies and suppliers, said the New People's Army (NPA) must stop targeting mining companies.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms these violent actions by insurgent groups that claimed the lives of three security personnel while endangering the lives of countless others in the purest form of harassment on legitimate mining operations, PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento said.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of these senseless acts and we assure the mining companies that we will work together with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) and concerned government agencies to prevent similar attacks from happening in other areas, Sarmiento stressed.
The PMSEA urges the proper authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident and ensure that justice is served, Sarmiento added.
Sarmiento said the military had insisted the refusal of Taganito Mining Corp. (TMC), Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp., and Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC) to pay revolutionary taxes to the NPA prompted the attack.
However, the National Democratic Front (NDF) said the punitive action was undertaken five months after local indigenous groups filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking the grant of a Writ of Kalikasan to stop the mining operations.
Complete URL: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2011/mine-safety-group-slams-raid/#.TqIVaHK3OCk
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