Posted Oct 6th, 2011 Manila, Philippines – Three ranking police officials of Surigao del Norte were sacked from their posts while more troops are expected to be deployed in the province following the daring and coordinated attacks left some P2 billion damage in mining firms’ properties.
Director General Nicanor Bartolome, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said his relief order stemmed from what appears to be a failure of intelligence on the part of the local police.
Sacked were Senior Supt. Emmanuel Talento, director of the Surigao del Norte Police; Supt. Rudy Cupoy, commander of the Provincial Public Safety Company; and, Senior Inspector Diomedes Cuadra, chief of police of Claver town.
“I want to investigate why they were not able to detect the massing up of (rebel) forces, I want to investigate why they were not able to act or react,” said Bartolome.
On Monday, the Taganito Mining Corporation in Claver town was attacked, with the rebels also taking some of the mining executives who were later released unharmed.
Other group of rebels conducted road blocks on all roads leading to the area while the others also attacked the Platinum Metals Group Corporation located at Sito Kinalablaban, Cagdianao also in Claver town.
Security guards were disarmed and the rebels burned several equipment used in mining activities. Cruz clarified that there was no casualty during the attacks, correcting earlier reports of three security guards killed.
The convoy of the regional director of the CARAGA regional police, Chief Supt. Reynaldo Rafal was also ambushed at around 4 p.m. in Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte on the same day while he was on his way to the area to assess the damage. Rafal was unharmed.
Bartolome said they are currently conducting security assessment in the entire region, noting the presence of not only mining firms but also other business establishments that are based in CARAGA.
“We are ready to deploy more troops, and we will give emphasis in CARAGA because of what happened,” said Bartolome. (Aaron Recuenco)
Source: Tempo
Senior Supt. Emmanuel Talento, director of the Surigao del Norte Police (in black jacket)
Police Senior Inspector Diomedes Cuadra Jr (2nd from Left, 1st row)
Rows of burnt dump trucks littered the pier of Taganito Mining Corporation in Claver town, Surigao del Norte a day after the firm was attacked by Communist rebels. New People's Army rebels attacked three mining firms in Claver on Oct. 3, destroying millions of pesos worth of heavy equipment. MindaNews photo by Roel Catoto
Two barges are ablaze off Claver, Surigao del Norte, following Monday’s attack by New People’s Army guerillas in this photo sent via Twitter by Roy A627 who said he was onboard a ship passing by Claver. He said their ship captain later reported that communist rebels had attacked the mining site and burned facilities. contributed photo
Surigao Mining Videos
Lots of mining activities going on around the highway. The Pacific Ocean and the Diwata Mountain Range are polluted and exploited.
Taken last July 8, 2010, at Bgy. Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.
