MANILA, Philippines—A bomb explosion hit the transmission tower of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Maguindanao on Tuesday night, the military said.
The explosion caused a black out in most areas of North Cotabato and Maguindanao for more than three hours, Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said.
The explosion occurred at 9:10 p.m. at the NGCP tower No. 26 at Barangay Galakit in Pagalungan.
Responding troops said three of the posts of the tower were damaged because of the explosion, which caused the tower to fall.
Initial post-blast investigation showed that three improvised explosive devices were placed in three of the posts and were set off through cell phone detonation.
Petinglay said the metal fragments are consistent with 81 and 60 mm mortar.
“The attack, although did not cause loss of lives, is obviously intended to sabotage the normalcy and the peaceful situation in the area. It’s effect to the economic activity in affected areas could not be taken for granted even if power came back after almost three hours of black out,” Petinglay said.
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