BIFF bandits bomb power lines in North Cotabato

PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao, Philippines – Suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) bombed a power relay pylon in a secluded area here, plunging parts of Central Mindanao into darkness for three hours.

The bandits toppled tower 26 of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in Barangay Galakit, Lt. Col. Audie Edralin, commanding officer of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (IB), said yesterday.

The power outage hit 37 barangays in Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Edralin said the tower, carrying high-tension cables connecting the affected areas to hydroelectric plants in Lanao del Sur and in Bukidnon, is at a rice field near a national highway in Pagalungan.

“After receiving information that there was a loud explosion in the area, we dispatched a team to investigate and it was found out the tower was indeed bombed,” he said.

The BIFF had threatened to harass peasant communities and military installations in Central Mindanao in retaliation for the Army’s takeover of its stronghold in Barangay Midpantakan in Gen. S.K. Pendatun, Maguindanao on Jan. 4.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said members of the 7th IB and members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Pagalungan, Pikit and Kabacan towns were asked to conduct patrol operations.

“We also call on the public to be vigilant. We need the support of the general public in securing these facilities,” Petinglay said.