TAGUM CITY, Philippines -- Suspected New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas attacked a telecommunications facility in a Davao del Norte village late Thursday while another rebel unit was accused of murdering a former village official in Davao del Sur the same day.

Senior Superintendent Benilito Bianzon, Davao del Norte police director, said 35 rebels stormed Barangay (village) Malativas in Panabo City and destroyed telecommunications equipment owned by Globe Telecom there.

"The two guards were not able to put up a fight against the attackers and fled, leaving their service pistols," which the rebels took, Bianzon said.

In Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, NPA guerrillas shot dead a known anti-communist crusader on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Senior Inspector Rodrigo Tungal, Sta. Cruz police chief, identified the victim as Deonito Carmona, 56, former village chief of Coronon.

Citing a police investigation report, Tungal said Carmona was heading to a store when he shot by a lone gunman.

"He died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head after he was shot at close range at about 6:30 p.m.," he said.

Carmona was the second village official killed by alleged rebels in Davao del Sur this week.

On Tuesday, Paterno Intes, 51, a sub-village leader of Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City, was seized by the rebels before being shot, police said.

An NPA spokesperson said the attacks were part of their continuing offensive against legitimate targets.

Isabel Santiago of the NPA's Herminio Alfonzo Operations command said among the attacks they recently carried out was the May 5 ambush of soldiers in President Roxas in North Cotabato.

She said NPA rebels also raided a military detachment in Arakan, North Cotabato on May 6. Arakan is near President Roxas.