NORTH COTABATO: Government troops tightened security yesterday around vital power installations in the North Cotabato province that are vulnerable to attacks by members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Chief Inspector Jordine Maribojo of the Kabacan police said local officials tapped community elders to help prevent a repeat of Thursday night’s bombing of a power relay pylon of the National Grid Corp (NGCP) in Barangay Kayaga.
Investigators said the bandits used improvised explosive devices to topple NGCP’s tower No 141 in Sitio Malabuaya in Barangay Kayaga, Kabacan. A blackout later hit 37 barangays in Cotabato City and nearby towns in Maguindanao.
More than 10 power towers in North Cotabato with high-tension wires have been sabotaged since 2000. The cables connect the province and parts of Central Mindanao to the state-run hydro-electric plant in Bukidnon.
Maribojo said police intelligence operatives, backed by civilian volunteers, are now positioned in strategic spots in Kayaga to help village officials monitor possible attacks by the BIFF.
France Capulong, spokesperson for NGCP, told Catholic radio dxMS in Cotabato City that they are now supplying power to the affected areas in Central Mindanao through its relay facility in Tacurong City, southeast of Central Mindanao, as a temporary measure.
Capulong said engineers from Davao City will be dispatched to Barangay Kayaga to repair the damaged tower.
“Our workers did not go to the area Thursday night because of security constraints,” Capulong told dxMS via mobile phone.
The Philippine star
