Blasts rock parts of Masbate; NPA blamed

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 15): Blasts rock parts of Masbate; NPA blamed

At least nine explosions rocked parts of Masbate on Tuesday morning but no one was reported hurt, reports from military and police said.

Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman blamed the bombings to the New People’s Army.

Explosions were reported in Barangay (village) Miaga in Uson town at 4 a.m.; Barangay Tunga n Esperanza at 5 a.m.; Loving Forest Memorial Garden along Barangay Malinta in Masbate City at 7:10 a.m.; and at the national highway in Barangay Tabuc in Mobo at 7:15 a.m.

No one was hurt from the four explosions, he said.

A separate report from Bicol police said that blasts also ripped through Barangays Crossing and Buenasuerte in Uson; Barangay Daplian in San Jacinto; Barangay Ilaya in Balud and Barangay Burgos in Batuan.

It could not be immediately said if there were casualties from these blasts.

Colonel Fernando Trinidad 903rd Infantry Brigade Commander linked the blasts to the communist rebels and was quoted as saying that these explosions were “propaganda tactics to sow fear to the people.”

The NPA is holding their anniversary on March 29.

Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya said the NPA is resorting to these acts “to project that they are still strong.” They are currently going after 36 NPA rebels in Masbate.
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