Army bares NPA threat to attack mine firm

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=85618

By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 05:41pm (Mla time) 08/30/2007

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- The Philippine Army in Bicol on Thursday said the New People's Army's (NPA) is planning to launch an attack on the Lafayette Philippines Inc. to stop the controversial mining firm’s operations in Rapu-Rapu town.

Colonel Muhammad Nur Askalani, 902nd Infantry Brigade commander based in Villahermosa, Daraga, Albay, said military officers received the information on the alleged attack from civilian sources and other intelligence units on the island where Lafayette operates an open-pit copper and zinc mine.

Earlier, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) criticized President Macapagal-Arroyo's family for its alleged control of the lucrative mining industry and ordered NPA rebels to attack and stop mining operations in the country.

Communist spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal announced a directive from the CPP to stop the operations of mining firms, mostly foreign corporations, in various parts of the country.

Askalani said despite the security threats, authorities are confident the military has enough forces on Rapu-Rapu to prevent any sabotage of the mining firm’s operations.

Lafayette officials expressed alarm over the intelligence report about the supposed attack, saying that it shouldn’t be ignored.

"The rebels could attack anytime," said one official who asked that he not be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

Lafayette representatives snubbed the invitation to a forum organized by the multi-sectoral Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance (Sara) in cooperation with the Albay provincial government on Tuesday.

The forum was designed to discuss the environmental and socio-economic impact of the mining activity in Rapu-Rapu.