By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 16 members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-6 (RPSB-6) were deployed to the Maricalum Mining Corporation site in Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City.

Sipalay City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Romeo Vargas, said tensions rose between the mining firm and the local National Mines and Allied Workers Union (NAMAWU) chapter after several security guards attempted to join the union, who were positioned inside, in an attempt to take over the premises.

However, after the NAMAWU was unable to produce a court order, they were stopped by the mining firm’s security agency.

Vargas said the RPSB-6 was sent to the area in order to pacify both sides.

Earlier this year, on a visit to the said mining site, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez suggested, with the site vacated, unemployed  local workers should strive to become entrepreneurs./DGB, WDJ