by Davao Today
DAVAO CITY– An electric tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) collapsed Sunday night in Maguindanao due to an explosion, military reports said, causing power outage near the area.
According to the NGCP, their 138 kV line found along Brgy. Ladia, Sultan Kudarat town collapsed since 9 pm last night. The report further said that the NGCP could not proceed with the investigation and repairs because of the skirmishes between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The collapsed tower caused power outage in areas served by Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (MAGELCO), COTELCO PALMA (Cotabato Electric Cooperative – Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap and Aleosan) and COLITE (Cotabato Light Co).
The 6th Infantry Division in a report said its Explosives and Ordinance Division checked the area and found improvised explosive device (IED) components.
The army unit though did not identify which group is behind the explosion. They also said Cafgu members helped secure the area for the probe.
Towers in NGCP around Central Mindanao have been target of bombings, including one in Kabacan three days before the May 13 elections.
This recent bombing came two weeks after the Army found and diffused an IED planted along the road near Barangay Ladia, near the power facility.
MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar denied that its forces were involved in the skirmishes in the area. (davaotoday.com)
