Tarlac telecoms building fired upon

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Five unidentified armed men wearing Army uniforms fired upon the Globe Telecom Office located along Lapaz-Sta. Rosa road in Barangay Maliwalo, Tarlac City on Sunday.

In his report, Senior Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, Tarlac provincial police director, said the suspects, believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were seen walking in front of the Globe building at about 11 p.m. and suddenly fired at the establishment several times.

Bartolome said the glass windows of the Globe building were heavily damaged but there were no reported casualties.

Before the incident, Arwin Salac, security guard of Petron Gasoline Station located near the Globe Telecom building was disarmed by the suspects.

Responding operatives of the Tarlac Police, Provincial Mobile Group and the 69th Army Infantry Battalion recovered 28 pieces of fired cartridge cases of an M-16 armalite rifle.

An unexploded M203 grenade rifle near the tower of the Globe Telecom building was also found, Bartolome said.

Suspects fled on foot towards Barangay Matatalahib in Tarlac City.

Government troopers conducted pursuit operations against the rebels in barangays Banaba, Buhilit, Trinidad, Bora, Calingcuan and Sitio Tarican. — Ric Sapnu