The National Democratic Front of the Philippines – North-Eastern Mindanao Region (NDFP-NEMR) congratulates the red commanders and fighters of the New People’s Army under the Pulang Diwata Command and the masses who supported for successfully launching simultaneous punitive military operations on October 3, 2011 against the three largest and most destructive mining companies in Surigao del Norte: Taganito High-Pressure Acid Leaching Plant (THPAL-Sumitomo), Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), and Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC).

As the NPA carried out one of its biggest and most daring punitive actions in recent history, the AFP and PNP forces, including paramilitary units, nearby were caught flatfooted, and utterly failed to respond and reinforce immediately.

As per initial field report, 200 heavy equipment, composed of dump trucks, excavators, tractors, and 7 barges, owned by the Tag-anito Mining Corporation (TMC) were disabled and destroyed. The main and the accounting offices at TMC, including its laboratory, were totally damaged. The newly-constructed heavy-duty wharf of TMC-THPAL was also blasted using high explosives. The THPAL power plant and 1 vertical tank for gasoline were also heavily damaged. The THPAL compound is adjacent to the TMC compound.

On the other hand, 152 machineries owned by the Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) composed of bulldozers, pay loaders, cranes, compactors, graders, dump trucks, including 10 barges and 6 tugboats, were virtually wrecked. PGMC is some ten kilometers away from the TMC-THPAL compounds along the Surigao Norte-Surigao Sur national highway.

Confiscated from the mining compounds were the following: several computer units and accessories of military value, combat boots, base radios, and 25 handheld VHF radios. Only 13 shotguns, 10 assorted short firearms, including several M16 and .9mm magazines and ammunitions, were seized from the company-size mining security forces, because those armed with high powered rifles scampered away without putting up a fight. Contrary to PNP claims, there were no casualties on the part of the company security guards as far as our operating units are concerned.

In carrying out the punitive action against the three giant mining companies, more than 3,000 of their workers were gathered by the NPAs in different locations, and explained to them the reasons behind the punitive action. The three senior officials of TMC, the foreign official and consultants of THPAL were held for five hours for questioning and were admonished for the unscrupulous practices of their respective companies, but were subsequently sent home late in the afternoon.

TMC, PGMC, and THPAL were punished for wanton indiscriminate mining operations in the mountains of Surigao del Norte that has inflicted irreparable damage to the environment and natural resources, and for the blatant violation of the rights of the Lumad people, exploitation and repression of workers and the displacement of peasant livelihood.

For defending the welfare of the greater masses and for upholding the policies of the revolutionary movement, once again, the NDFP-NEMR gives red salute to NPA commanders and fighters and the masses for a victory well-executed, and well-deserved.