INQ7.net, Dec. 20, 2005

Suspected NPA rebels attack Globe cell site in Aurora
By Joel Francis Guinto

Suspected communist rebels strafed a communications tower of Globe Telecom Inc. in Dinalungan town, Aurora province, northeast of Manila on Monday, police reports said Tuesday. It was the 22nd attack of the New People's Army (NPA) on an Ayala-owned telecommunications facility since July.

At around 12:05 a.m., some 20 NPA fighters lobbed seven improvised bombs and poured two gallons of gasoline on the Globe cell site compound in Poblacion Zone 1 village, reports said.

A security guard on duty, Jesie Moral put out the fire caused by the explosives, forcing the rebels to fire several shots on the cell site's engine, which sustained only minimal damage.

Before fleeing, the rebels disarmed Moral and Police Officer 1 David Susup, who was in the premises at the time of the attack.

On Monday, the military said it had recommended to Malacañang the declaration of a "short-term" holiday ceasefire with the NPA, the 8,000-strong armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The military said the proposal was made amid stepped-up rebel offensives since November that had left over a dozen soldiers killed.