Globe incurs P20M damage in cell site bombing
BACOLOD CITY – Military and police authorities placed at P20 million the worth of damage caused by the bombing of the Globe Telecom cell site in Brgy. Mabini, Escalante City, Negros Occidental last Saturday night.
Chief Inspector Santiago Rapiz, Escalante police chief, said about 10 suspected New People's Army rebels entered the property by destroying the cyclone fence of the unmanned and isolated Globe Telecom cell site.
"The armed men advised some occupants of a house situated near the Globe cell site to vacate the area for awhile and after few minutes a loud explosion was heard," he added.
The explosion specifically destroyed the cell site's power room but its tower was not damaged.
It was reported that Globe's security staff received threats from the alleged rebels that the communication firm's facilities will be bombed, if they continue to ignore demands for revolutionary taxes.
Rapiz on the other hand admitted he received a text message saying that the NPA was responsible for the destruction, in punishment for not complying with their demands.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Police Office Director Senior Supt. Manuel Felix condemned the bombing saying the act was counter-productive and detrimental to the interest of the innocent people.
Globe cell sites are always the NPA's favorite bombing target because the company pay no attention to the demand and threats of the rebels.
Military records showed that two Globe towers in the province were downed by NPA. One from Brgy. Balintawak, Escalante City in 2003 and another from Cauayan, about three months ago which was later admitted by the NPA's Roger Mahinay Command.