AFP vows to secure NGCP towers in Mindanao

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday that is ready to help in securing the towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) from bomb attacks.

“The bombing of towers of the NGCP is a serious security concern of the AFP as well, even the PNP. For that matter, all of the security sector particularly in the areas of Mindanao where the affected areas are,” AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla told reporters.

Padilla said the AFP has been reaching out to the NGCP, adding “we have been working with them continuously on this matter to provide as much security personnel as we can to secure the many or hundreds of towers located, especially in far-flung or secluded, isolated areas.”

Due to limited number of personnel, Padilla said troops are being deployed in select areas. “We need to very selective and this is where our appropriate intelligence monitoring comes in, so intel personnel in our national operations center. We need to identify the priorities that we need to put our resources to,” he said.

The Mindanao Power Grid of the NGCP was placed on yellow alert following a series of attacks, which caused reserves to fall below required levels.

The power supply from Agus 1 and 2 hydro-power plants in Lanao del Sur was affected after the plants were bombed on Christmas Eve.

In a full-page newspaper ad on Monday, the NGCP appealed to the public to help in stopping the bomb attacks.

“Makipagtulungan para matigil ang pambobomba at paninira ng mga tore upang tuloy ang paghatid sa inyo ng kuryente,” it said.

It asked the public to report to them whenever there are any doubtful activities sighted near the NGCP towers and facilities.

In 2015, the NGCP said that 16 towers of the NGCP were bombed and caused widespread blackout in Mindanao.

The bombings were mostly blamed to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the breakaway group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front.