- MANILA: Australian and Japanese officials have expressed concern over an attack by more than 200 communist guerrillas on three mining compounds in the southern Philippines.
The rebels disarmed guards, briefly held company staff, and torched company offices and heavy equipment during the attacks Monday on three mines run by Nickel Asia Corp. and Platinum Group Metals Corp. in remote Surigao del Norte province. Nickel Asia is partly Japanese-owned.
Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe said Wednesday that the attacks were “awful” and could hurt the Philippines’ image. Australian Ambassador Rod Smith, whose country also has mining interests in the country, expressed concern as well.
Both diplomats welcomed government efforts to improve security for mining companies.
