ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 1, 2014) – Several people were injured when illegal settlers clashed Thursday with workers and security guards of a logging firm in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines.
Villagers who illegally squatted outside the Dacon Company are protesting the ongoing fencing of the logging firm around its lumberyard in the village of Recodo, saying, it would cut their roadway to the area.
Angry protesters hurled rocks at the workers and security guards and the violence only stopped after policeman and soldiers arrived in the area and pacified the villagers.
Logging executives said workers are just increasing the height of their existing fence due to security concerns.
In February this year, an unidentified gunman fired an M79 grenade from a rifle launcher into the company building. Although there were no reports of casualties, the blast proved how vulnerable the company from attacks.
Just last month, a mysterious fire at the company’s lumberyard destroyed millions of pesos in assets. (Mindanao Examiner)
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