Suspected NPA Rebels Burn Another Globe Tower in Surigao del Norte; P5-M Damaged

SURIGAO CITY- Suspected New People’s Army rebels destroyed another telecommunications giant Globe transmission tower at Purok 5, Barangay Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte on Friday evening at about 11:30 p.m., belated report reaching Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office here.

The official police report that also reached Caraga Police Regional Information Office claimed the Globe Transmission facilities which is just a few meters from the national highway near Alipao Barangay Hall were burned by more or less eight (8) fully armed men believed to be members of CPP-NPA using gasoline and crude oil.

Initial investigation disclosed that the armed men forcibly entered the gate of the transmission tower and fired their firearms and holding in captivity the guard on duty but immediately released after the incident.

Responding policemen recovered from the crime scene three empty shells of M16 rifle; axe and torches believed to have been used to burn the transmission tower considered one of the Globe’s biggest in the region.

Police and Globe personnel who went to the area and inspect extend of damages estimated the damaged to have reached to more or less Five Million Pesos.

Alegria Municipal Police said they are still investigating the incident while Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Jaime Elorita Milla ordered one team from 1404th Provincial Police Mobile Group to be dispatch to the area to augment the personnel of said police station.

This is the fourth telecommunications giant, Globe transmission tower facilities destroyed by the communist rebels in this year alone.

The first destroyed was that of surfing capital General Luna town in Siargao Island which was destroyed by communist rebels last June this year after suspected NPA rebels attacked the General Luna Municipal Police Station.

The rebels before fleeing hanged CPP/NPA/NDF flags all over the place then fled aboard standby motorboats to Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Claver town is host of four big mining companies currently operating for nickel mines in the area.