Communist rebs attack cellular site in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY — Communist guerrillas have resumed attacks on economic targets after backing out of peace talks, blowing up a telecommunications tower in Masbate, police said yesterday.

At least 10 New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas attacked the Globe Telecom mobile phone relay tower near the town of Palanas on Monday. They disarmed and tied up the lone guard and tossed an explosive into the compound, said Senior Superintendent Eugene Alcomendas, Masbate police director.

The raid was the sixth attack on a Globe Telecom tower since August, according to the Philippine National Police.

In a report, the police said the company had refused to pay "revolutionary taxes" that the NPA extorts on businesses to finance its armed operations.

The National Democratic Front, the umbrella group of the communists, held talks with the government in Norway late last month in a bid to restart negotiations for a political settlement to the 36-year rebellion.

However, the rebels rejected a demand by President Arroyo’s government for a nationwide ceasefire during the formal talks.

The rebels also said they would not resume talks until Manila took action to have them removed from the United States and European lists of "foreign terrorist organizations." — AFP, Cet Dematera