DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels on Friday said it simultaneously raided a mining firm and a military post and seized dozens of weapons and thousands of ammunition in Compostela Valley in southern Philippines.
Aris Francisco, a spokesman for the New People’s Army, said rebel forces swooped down on the mining company allegedly owned by Monkayo town Mayor Joselito Brillantes and a nearby army post.
He said at least 74 assorted high-power firearms, including three M60 machine guns, dozens of automatic rifles, shotguns and sub-machine guns; and 14,000 rounds of ammunition, military vests and transceiver radios were taken from the mining company and military post.
“Seized from the mayor’s goons and paramilitary forces were three M60 machine gun, seven M14 rifles, 13 M16 rifles, 9 Garand rifles, three baby M16 rifles, 1 Carbine, two Bush Master rifles, one Ultimax machine gun, one M203 rifle, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, 1 Galil rifle, 1 AK- 200, 11 shotgun rifles, two 9mm pistols, eight .45 caliber pistol, one .38 caliber pistol and nine KG sub-machine guns. Also confiscated during the successful tactical offensive were 14,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, military vests and radios,” Francisco said.
He also accused the politician of maintaining a private army to protect his mining company and alleged human rights violations.
“Mayor Brillantes has committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law for building and maintaining a private armed group in pursuit of mining interests and in conjunction with the larger armed counterrevolutionary program of the Government of the Philippines.”
“The NPA punished Mayor Brillantes for his overt participation in the commission of various crimes against the people in the furtherance of his economic and political interest in Monkayo,” Francisco said.
Francisco said the attack should serve as a stern warning against those who deviate from civilian functions and use militarism to advance mining interest and economic gain.
The military has confirmed the daring raid on the mayor’s house and army post and said 2 persons were killed by rebels – a security Roberto Baysa and an unnamed government militiaman.
It said rebels also blockaded the highway with stolen trucks to delay security forces pursuing the raiders.
There was no immediate statement from the mayor’s about the raid and allegations against him. The NPA has been fighting for a separate communist state for many decades now. (Mindanao Examiner)
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