Reds bomb telecoms tower in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY — Communist guerrillas bombed a telecommunications tower of Globe Tele—com in Mobo, Masbate last Wednesday morning, the latest in a series of attacks linked to rebel extortion of businesses, authorities said.

Some 20 rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) lobbed an explosive at the relay station in Barangay Bagacay, damaging the radio room and the roof, said Senior Superintendent Eugenio Alcovindas, Masbate police director.

The guerrillas also took the revolver and handheld radio of the station’s security guard, Emilio Ruay, who was otherwise unharmed.

NPA guerrillas have attacked more than 20 cell sites in recent months.

In Abra, meanwhile, six guerrillas, including an amazon, were killed in a 15-minute firefight with patrolling soldiers in Barangay Apao, Tineg town last Tuesday afternoon. — Celso Amo, Artemio Dumlao, Charlie Lagasca, AFP