Globe cellsite tower bombed in Batangas

Batangas – A Globe cellsite tower was burned down after undetermined number of suspected New People’s Army placed an explosive material inside its facilities in Taysan town Sunday evening, police said.

Senior Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, newly installed, Batangas police director said the incident could be a handiwork of the New People’s Army but they could not categorically pinpoint the group yet pending an investigation.

“If you will study their (NPA) previous operations against the Globe facilities, it’s highly probable that this incident was perpetrated by them,” Gatchalian told The Star, adding that they are still in the process of investigating the case before giving a definite answer.

Initial investigations showed that the suspected rebels placed the explosive materials at the generator set and equipment room, setting it off at around 11:45 p.m. creating a huge fire in the facility located at Barangay Sto. Niño.  

According to Senior Inspector Pamela Helaga, Calabarzon regional spokeswoman, more or less 10 rebels armed with various highpowered firearms barged in the Globe cellsite in Barangay Sto. Niño, Taysan, Batangas at around 10 p.m.

The rebels disarmed the security guards and immediately placed explosives inside the communication room and generator, including other equipment.

The rebels escaped on board two unregistered vehicles towards the boundary of Batangas and Quezon. 

Inspector Von Nicasio, deputy fire chief of Batangas said in spite of the explosion and fire, the facility continues to work without any interruption on its cellular signal services and electrical power.

Nicasio, in a mobile interview said they were not able to immediately respond on the fire because of the restriction made by the Philippine National Police to them that a group of armed men were in an “ambush position” a few meters away from the cellsite tower.