Rebs vows to step up Kalinga attacks

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Despite the rainy season, communist rebels in Kalinga vowed to step up attacks against government troops and transnational mining firms.

Daniel Gibon, spokesman of the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front, warned that they would heighten their "tactical offensives" as part of fetad or the indigenous people’s war against transnational mining companies for encroaching on their tribal land.

"These mining companies deprive the people of their resources through deception and militarization of tribal villages," Gibon said.

Three mining companies operate in Kalinga, namely Cordillera Exploration Inc., Wolfland Resources Inc., and Makilala Mining Co. Inc.

Government forces in the Cordilleras are concentrated in Kalinga.