Philex Mining compound hit by grenade attack

MANILA, Philippines – A grenade exploded outside the Manila headquarters of the Philippines’ top mining company, Philex Mining Corp, Friday, July 27, the second such attack in two months, police and company officials said.

The pre-dawn blast near the Philex compound gate caused no casualties or serious damage, said Mike Toledo, a spokesman for the firm, which is the Philippines’ biggest gold miner and has moved into energy exploration.

“Two men aboard a motorcycle threw a grenade which landed about 3 to 4 meters (10-13 feet) away from the perimeter wall. It caused minor damage to the wall but fortunately no one was harmed,” he told AFP.

Police are looking into the possible involvement of communist rebels in the attack and a similar blast at the same site on June 2, when again no one was hurt, district police chief Superintendent Alfredo Calamaan said.

Communist rebels frequently attack mining projects in rural areas for extortion purposes, but company spokesman Toledo said he was not aware of any threats against Philex.

The firm will be boosting security, he added.

In recent months, a heated debate raged over the Philippine mining industry as President Benigno Aquino prepared an order to revamp it.

Environmentalists, tribal groups, church leaders and nationalists criticised the damage mining caused, while businessmen cited its contributions to the economy.

Aquino released his mining order on July 9, tightening environmental safeguards while aiming to boost revenues from the industry. – Agence France-Presse

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