NGCPand Steel tower bombed in Maguindanao but remained standing
COTABATO CITY -– 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
today.
Melfrance Bambi” Capulong, speaking for NGCP Southern Mindanao
region, said the bomb failed to topple the Tower 153 in Taverdo, Buluan,
Maguindanao after two improvised explosive devises went off at 9 p.m.
Wednesday.
The steel tower carries the 138 kilovolts power from Kabacan substation
in North Cotabato to Tacurong substation in Sultan Kudarat.
On Dec. 18, unidentified men 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 has 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, NGCP head of Corporate communication and public affairs,said repair works for the damaged steel tower will
commence once the area is 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.
Appeals are also addressed to local government officials, the
military in resolving this security issue.”
At least 15 NGCP steel towers have been bombed in Maguindanao
and North Cotabato since January. (Edwin O. Fernandez)