Youscoopers witness attacks on mining sites in Surigao del Norte

Youscoopers reported witnessing on Monday the attacks that armed men, allegedly members of the New People’s Army (NPA), carried out on worksites of three mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte, where mining equipment were set on fire. Ten dump trucks, eight backhoes, two barges and a guest house were burned in the attacks perpetrated supposedly by the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 16, 30 and 21, according to Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division. Joel Fabiana from Las Piñas, who was aboard MV Mercury Ocean at anchorage in Surigao del Norte, sent photos of the attack on Taganito Mining. The ship was awaiting shipments from Taganito when he heard an explosion from across the sea and saw smoke coming out of one of the mining firms in Claver. “One of our agents called us and ordered us to pull out," Fabiana said. “They told us to move to a safer place." Another Youscooper, who declined to be identified, said he was on a work-related trip to 4K Mining at Cadiano village, also in Claver, when he saw barges and heavy equipment on fire. He sent video footage shot at close range. Youscooper Michael Jobert Navallo, visiting a family property near the site, was also able to take a video of workers from Taganito mining, who claimed they were just released after being held by rebels for over six hours. Navallo said he saw some 2000 workers dispersing after the attacks, but people from the area claimed there were over 7,000 workers affected. http://www.youscoop.tv/scoop/64229/taganito-workers-released – Lian Buan/PE/ELR GMA News