NPA in Globe tower burning hurt in clash

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna ,Philippines  – A communist rebel suspected to be among a group of armed men who burned the Globe telecom tower in Quezon province last year, was wounded in a military encounter in Barangay Bato, Panukulan, Quezon, Sunday morning, the military said yesterday.

Colonel Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, identified the wounded as Ryan Sabalbero, an NPA rebel operating in Polilio, Quezon.

Baladad said Sabalbero has a standing warrant of arrest for arson for the burning of Globe telecom tower on Aug. 11, 2010.

He said Sabalbero and his comrades clashed with Army soldiers led by 1Lt. Vay Caballero at the vicinity Sitio Ngalan at around 9:50 a.m. on Sunday.

The firefight lasted for about five minutes and no casualties were reported on the government side.

Baladad said the military operation was in response to the information given by residents in five barangays in Panukulan.

“Reports of NPA rebels’ presence by community residents is a strong manifestation of support to the government as well as their renunciation of the anti-development and violence perpetrated by the local terrorist group,” he said.