Blackout hits Central Mindanao as NGCP tower bombed

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A transmission tower in Aleosan, North Cotabato was bombed on Thursday night, causing a 15-hour blackout in most parts of Central Mindanao.

Police said the bombers destroyed Tower 63 of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) at the border of Barangays Bagolibas and Pagangan.

“Initial reports indicate that an explosion was heard along the NGCP’s Kibawe-Sultan Kudarat 138-kiloVolt line, specifically, the portion in Pikit, North Cotabato,” the NGCP said in a text advisory.

The blackout affected customers of the Cotabato Light and Power Co., Cotabato Electric Co. and Maguindanao Electric Cooperative.

Senior Superintendent Alex Tagum, North Cotabato police director, said an investigation into the bombing is underway.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, chairman of the provincial peace and order council, said Aleosan municipal officials are helping investigators identify the perpetrators.

The NGCP said it was the 11th transmission tower bombed this year. The most recent incident occurred on Oct. 9 along the same line.

Local officials had linked the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to the bombings.

“Due to the critical peace and order situation, NGCP line personnel will begin line patrol as soon as the area is secured. We will be releasing details as they become available,” the NGCP said.

The NGCP has been faced with right-of-way issues involving its facilities, particularly in Mindanao. – With Danessa Rivera