An unidentified gunman shot Tuesday (May 22) a security guard of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. in Tampakan in South Cotabato.

According to Sagittarius Mines, an off-duty security guard was traveling along Aspac Road in Barangay Tablu when he got shot in the forearm.

Sagittarius Mines said the guard is a member of the company’s security service provider Catena. He is now in the hospital for treatment.

Last year, three workers of a construction company hired by the mining firm for a road project were killed in an ambush by tribal members opposing the copper-gold project.

A leader of the B’laan tribe earlier claimed responsibility for the ambush but put the blame on the mining firm. Daguil Capion, who’s now in hiding, had told the media that if only the mining firm had heeded their demand to leave their ancestral domain, they would not resort to this violence.

The latest shooting incident occurred as tribal members opposed to the project continue their barricade.