do not go into the compostela valley. it is rebel infested area, very dangerous. here's a news report...although it plays down the rebel thing EXPLOSION HITS GOLD MINE IN PHILIPPINES By Jon Nones
28 Oct 2005 at 07:14 AM An explosion in a gold mine in the southern Philippines killed 18 miners and left dozens of others missing and feared dead, officials said Thursday. At least 10 miners out of 50 have been rescued following the blast late Wednesday inside a mine operated by JB Management and Mining Corp. in the mountain village of Mount Diwata in Compostela Valley province. --> Village chief Franco Tito said one survivor told him that a cache of dynamite ignited inside the tunnel, but the regional Civil Defense office dismissed that account and said a compressor supplying air to the mine had apparently exploded.