Rebels bomb transmission tower in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected rebels of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), bombed a transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation in Maguindanao today, causing a blackout in the province.

BIFF men detonated the improvised explosive device (IED) at the tower in Sultan Kudarat town at 3 a.m. Monday, said Ramon Zagala, public affairs office chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The explosion caused "massive brownout." But power has been restored by Monday noon, he said.  

"We believe this act is anti-people, anti-peace process," Zagala said.  

The BIFF is associated with Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao, which is blamed for the July 26 bombing in Cagayan de Oro City, also on Mindanao Island, that left nine people dead and many others injured.

The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group, has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Muslim state in southern Philippines. The BIFF broke away from the MILF over serious disagreement on the MILF's peace talks with the Aquino administration.