World | Philippines
Arroyo sets up army unit to guard mines
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday announced the creation of a special army unit to protect mines, plantations and power lines in Mindanao.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:44 February 8, 2008
Manila: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday announced the creation of a special army unit to protect mines, plantations and power lines in Mindanao.
Arroyo said the new unit, to be called an "investment defence force", would shield against attacks by communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels.
"We also have already identified additional investment assets in Mindanao that need more weapons and personnel as protective shields," Arroyo said.
Arroyo's announcement came three days after NPA rebels stormed a gold processing plant in the Compostela region in Mindanao, killing two security guards.
The NPA is opposed to foreign and local corporations mining Philippine sites. Last month it attacked a mine in the south and set fire to buildings.
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