COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Another steel tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) was bombed in Maguindanao Wednesday night, the second bomb attack in six days in Maguindanao, authorities said Thursday.
Melfrance “Bambi” Capulong, speaking for NGCP Southern Mindanao region, said two bombs went off but failed to topple Tower 153 in Taverdo, Buluan, Maguindanao around 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The steel tower carries the 138-kilovolt power from the Kabacan substation in North Cotabato to Tacurong substation in Sultan Kudarat.
On Dec. 18, unidentified men also bombed Steel Tower No. 168 in Barangay Ladia, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao but the explosive failed to topple the steel tower. One of its four legs was damaged and had been repaired.
Capt. Joan Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, confirmed the bombing of NGCP tower in Buluan, which occurred near the town center.
Capulong said repair works for the damaged steel tower would commence once the area has been secured.
“Per intelligence reports, eight more towers are to be bombed by lawless elements over the holidays,” Capulong said.
Capulong appealed to residents near NGCP towers to help secure the facility to prevent power outages in the region.
“NGCP warns that if unabated further bombing incidents may prevent customers from enjoying uninterrupted electricity during the holidays,” she said.
At least 15 NGCP steel towers have been bombed in Maguindanao and North Cotabato since January, plunging several areas into darkness. SFM