CAMP BADO DANGWA, Benguet– Several properties of Lepanto Mining Corporation in Mankayan, Benguet were bombed allegedly by the NPA under the Chadli Molintas Command at around 10:50PM of June 7, 2017.
The incident was relayed to the Police through a phone call by a concerned citizen informing that the chemical and mineral laboratory owned by Xian Jinrui Lianliungang, located at Cabatuan, Colalo, Mankayan, Benguet and Dam 5 Gate were under attack followed by a firefight between the alleged NPA members and personnel from the 54th IB, 5th ID, Philippine Army based there.
In response, personnel of Mankayan MPS led by PCI Ronnie O Albino together with members of Benguet PPSC led by PSUPT Edward Aquintey proceeded to Cabatuan, Colalo, Mankayan by foot and arrived thereat at around 4:00 AM of June 8, 2017. They conducted clearing operations and discovered a newly built municipal structure, one backhoe owned by Brgy. Charman Ambino Padawi and a floating machine for processing copper owned by Jian Lianlungang were all destroyed with the use of explosives.
Initial investigation conducted revealed armed men and an amazon arrived in the area and exploded said properties.
The Chief Security of Lepanto Mining Division informed the police that one (1) lime mixing plant and one bulldozer owned by Flores Construction were destroyed by explosives while two unexploded bombs were left in a bulldozer and backhoe.
Statements of the two security guards posted at Dam 5 Gate and Quarry Area narrated that the suspects approached them and took their hand-held radio with charger, hunting knife and pistol holder and tied them with a packing tape. Later, they exploded the bomb that was planted on the backhoe and the CIP (carbon in pulp) facility located in Cabatuan, Colalo, Mankayan, Benguet then identified themselves as NPA to the guard posted at the Quarry Area.
They also fired upon the six members of the Philippine Army who were deployed at the Dam 5 Field Office that led to a short firefight. As a result, PFC Arthur Bag-ay, 38, a native and a resident of Gobgob, Tabuk, Kalinga sustained a minor injury at his nape caused by a shrapnel while Jerson Guisguiswoang Awini, 26, detox operator and a resident of Paalaban, Paco, Mankayan, Benguet was accidentally hit by a stray bullet on his right thigh. Awini was brought to Lepanto Hospital but later referred to the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Abatan, Bauko, Mtn. Province and is now in stable condition.
The caretaker of the CIP facility also added that the armed men were looking for Ambino Padawi. Despite the plea of the caretaker not to destroy the CIP because it is their only source of income, the rebel group went on and destroyed it as it was the property of Ambino Padawi.
The New People’s Army (NPA) admitted they are responsible for the destruction of the heavy equipment and structures at Lepanto through the press release of the Chadli Molintas Command. They claimed it is part of their retribution against big mining companies and the government for protecting such companies.
An observer said, why are the police and the army always appear to have been caught unaware. Where is there intelligence? **
