Philippine military recruits residents to defend mines near their communities
By Carlos H. Conde
International Herald Tribune
Published: February 5, 2008
MANILA:
In response to attacks on mining companies by insurgent groups in the
Philippines, the military has agreed to recruit and train residents in
communities near the mines as a defense force for the companies.
The
policy, officials said, is just one of several that the government is
pursuing in its efforts to promote the Philippines as a major player in
the mining industry in Asia.
Under the plan, the military, with
the help of local governments and the mining companies themselves,
would recruit residents in communities where mining investments are
present. It would then train and arm the recruits to help guard the
companies from armed groups, mainly the New People’s Army, which is
Communist and is responsible for most attacks against the mostly
foreign-based mining companies.
