Mining firm's exec shot dead in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – An official of a big mining company operating in Mindanao was shot dead by unknown assailants here early yesterday morning, police said.

The victim, Cristituto Bual, offsite land acquisition superintendent of Sagittarius Mines Inc., proponent of the $5.9-billion Tampakan gold-copper project, was jogging in his subdivision in Barangay Bangkal here at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday morning when two motorcycle-riding men shot him several times in the head, said Senior Superintendent Rene Aspera, city police chief.

Bual was with his wife when he was killed, but she was unharmed.

Bual’s son, James, expressed suspicion that his father’s killing had something to do with his job.

John Arnaldo, SMI corporate communications officer, expressed grief on the sudden and violent death of Bual who had worked for the company for nearly three years.

He said Bual was responsible for acquiring offsite land for SMI’s planned power plant project in Davao del Sur.

Prior to his current position, Bual was with SMI’s stakeholder engagement and partnership team responsible for the Davao del Sur area.

“We extend our sincere condolences to his wife and family during this tragic time. A police investigation has commenced and we will fully cooperate with the police as they seek to determine how and why the incident occurred,” Arnaldo said.

“Until the motive is determined, we will exercise caution in our daily activities in the area. SMI looks forward to a swift resolution of the incident in accordance with the rule of law,” Arnaldo added.

At yesterday’s closing of the Mining Philippines 2011 Conference, Mark Williams, SMI general manager for operations and external relations, said the company is in the process of completing its environmental impact study for its power project in Malalag, Davao del Sur.

The Tampakan project straddles the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Davao del Sur.

– With Marianne Go