Reds attack 3 Globe cell sites, power barge in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY – New People’s Army (NPA) rebels simultaneously attacked three cell sites of Globe Telecoms and a power barge of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) in Masbate and Camarines Sur on Monday and yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Teodoro Caparuso, Masbate police director, said at least 30 empty shells from M16 Armalite rifles were recovered at the Globe cell sites in barangay Malinta in Masbate City and barangay Poblacion, Uson town, which the rebels had attacked at 3 a.m. last Monday.

Except for bullet holes on the parabolic antennas, Caparuso said no major damage was inflicted on the cell sites. The guards were disarmed and ordered to lay flat on the ground before the rebels fired shots at the telecommunications facilities.

The official believed the attacks were only meant to grab attention from people and to remind authorities of the rebels’ presence in the hinterlands.

The rebels also torched another Globe cell site in barangay Batang, Pamplona, Camarines Sur, simultaneous with the Masbate attacks. The facilities suffered major damage, the police reported.

After the attacks, armed men believed to be rebels also burned the Napocor power barge in San Jacinto, Masbate shortly after midnight yesterday.

Caparuso said the incident cut off electricity in San Jacinto town until press time yesterday.

He said a police team was assigned to guard the barge while repairs are being done.