‘Al-Khobar’ blamed for bombing of NGCP towers in North Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Police blamed the Al-Khobar extortion group for the bombing of two transmission pylons of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Barangay Batulawan in Pikit, North Cotabato, on Friday night.

Senior Insp. Sindatu Karim, Pikit town police chief, said initial investigation showed members of the Al-Khobar gang planted about six improvised explosive devices at the foot of Steel Towers No. 44 and 45 in Barangay Batulawan, Pikit and set them off at 11:45 p.m.

As the two towers fell, power was cut in some towns of North Cotabato, the whole of Maguindanao and Cotabato City. Power was restored three hours later.

Al-Khobar is a gang composed of former Moro rebels who turned into banditry and prey on multi-national firms and bus companies in Central Mindanao.

The group has been blamed in previous bombings against NGCP power lines in Pikit and in Pagalungan and Pagagawan towns in Maguindanao.

The same group was believed behind bus bombings in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato in the past.

Karim said the bombed towers were about 200 meters away from a militia detachment and 50 meters away from a major government irrigation project.

Responding police, elements of the 7th Infantry Battalion and Task Force Pikit arrived at the blast site about 15 minutes later.

“The IEDs were planted at the four feet of Tower 44, which toppled the steel structures while Tower 45 tilted on its side,” Karim said.

Police and Army bomb experts said the suspects used 60 mm and 81 mm mortars in toppling the towers.

Capt. Joanne Petinglay, the 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said another unexploded IED was found hanging in Tower 45. It was safely defused by Army bomb experts.

The NGCP-managed towers were part of the 138 KV line that connects power from Kibawe, Bukidnon stations to Kabacan—Simuay line.

Previous attacks on NGCP power lines were blamed on the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which also operates in Pikit.

Friday night’s attack was the fourth this year against NGCP towers in Pikit, North Cotabato and nearby Pagalungan in Maguindanao.

On January 13 and 18 this year, lawless elements bombed Tower 26 and Tower 41 in Barangay Ginakit, Pagalungan, Maguindanao and Barangay Batulawan, Pikit, North Cotabato, respectively.

Bambie Capulong, speaking for NGCP Southern Mindanao region, said efforts were underway to repair the damaged pylons which she said could last about a week or two to complete. SFM