Monday, March 17, 2008

NPA Rebels Raid Globe Telecom Facility In Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 17, 2008) – Filipino communist rebels raided Monday a telecommunication facility in Mindanao island, security officials said.

Officials said New People’s Army rebels attacked the facility owned by cellular phone giant Globe Telecom, Inc. at around 5.30 a.m. in the village of San Vicente in Compostela Valley province’s Montevista town.

The raiders also carted away firearms of security guard before torching several telecom equipments, said Colonel Benito Antonio De Leon, spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.

“This shows the real colors of the insurgents and even communication facilities are not spared. These facilities are vital and important and it can save lives in emergency situations,” De Leon told the Mindanao Examiner.

The motive of the attack is still unknown, but authorities said previous NPA assaults on telecommunication facilities and mining firms in Mindanao were triggered by failed extortion.

Singapore Telecommunications owns 45% of Globe; diversified corporation Ayala owns one-quarter. The company provides local and long distance telecommunications services to more than 12 million wireless subscribers throughout the Philippines.

Just last week, the NPA owned up the attack on a mining firm, Apex Mining Company, in Compostela Valley’s Maco town.

The rebels said the raid on March 6 was a punishment for the firm's failure to pay so-called "revolutionary" taxes and for environment destruction.

Apex is partly owned by international mining company called Crew Gold Corporation based in London and has interests in Lefa Corridor Gold Project in Guinea; Nalunaq Gold Mine in Greenland; and the Maco Gold Mine in the Philippines.

The NPA is fighting for the establishment of Maoist state in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

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