12 Philippine Employees of Canadian Firm Killed

Suspected Muslim rebels ambushed local workers of a Canadian company Thursday in the southern Philippines, killing 12 and injuring 10, the military said.

It was the second deadly attack on Mindanao island this week. On Christmas Eve, a bomb exploded outside a mayor’s home, killing 17 people.

It was not clear whether there was a link between the incidents, which occurred about 100 miles apart.

The military blamed the attacks on rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied any involvement.

In Thursday’s attack, dozens of employees, who were Filipino, were ambushed by gunmen in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Police say the MILF had been extorting money from the workers’ employer, the Calgary-based mining firm Toronto Ventures Inc. Pacific.

The Roman Catholic charity Caritas-Philippines says the company has been harassing tribal people opposed to mining operations on their ancestral lands, where many of their dead are buried.

The impoverished southern Philippines is home to Muslim guerrillas fighting for self-rule in this predominantly Christian nation. But the area is also populated by Muslim tribes armed with unlicensed weapons, and clan fighting and personal conflicts abound.

Company officials could not be immediately reached for comment.