South Cotabato mining firm beefs up security

Koronadal City – A copper mining firm in South Cotabato is set to hire more than 100 civilian guards to secure its base camp and exploration areas at the boundaries of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur from future New People’s Army (NPA) attacks.

In a statement, the Sagui­tarrius Mines Inc. (SMI), an Australian-backed mining firm exploring the vast copper and gold deposits in the three provinces, said it has tapped Catene Security Inc. (CSI) for its security requirements.

CSI, reportedly part of Group Four Securicor, one of the world’s leading security firms, will carry out its contract beginning March.

Under the contract, all guards currently providing security services to SMI will be offered new positions with enhanced benefits and conditions.

Gerardo Laviste, SMI resident manager, said the new guards will be hired from the tribal villages, mostly populated by the B’laans, that are affected by their operations.

Laviste said the CSI will also supervise the setting up of eight new security posts in its tenement in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur.

“The safety and security of our staff, contractors and visitors is our number one priority. Bringing on board such a high-caliber firm as (CSI) reflects our commitment to promoting peace and security,” Laviste said.

Laviste said they don’t want a repeat of the Jan. 1 dawn attack by about 50 heavily armed NPA guerrillas on its base camp, where buildings and other structures were torched.