20 Transco towers crippled by bombs this year - cops

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - Police said Friday that 20 steel towers of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO), most of them in Lanao del Norte, have been bombed by still unidentified suspects in the previous months. This was disclosed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office-12 following the recent attack of transmission tower in Barangay Bagontapay, Mlang Cotabato on Wednesday night. As the spate of bombings intensify, PNP and the AFP elements are trying to establish close coordination with residents in the areas affected so that the installations, particularly the power lines, are secured. Chief public information office of the PNP-12, Police Senior Supt. Casimero Medes said regular and random patrolling is being made especially in remote areas where steel towers of TRANSCO are located. Medes said that despite their regular patrols, the remote stations remain vulnerable to attacks by armed men. “We are also asking the constituents living near these facilities to help us in terms of monitoring to avoid similar attacks," Medes in the text message said. Medes said they already established the identity of the suspects but decline to name them as the investigation continues. Transco management however warned that power supply in Mindanao could be affected if the bombings continued. North Cotabato Police Provincial Mobile Group and Kidapawan City SWAT including the various municipal police offices have been tasked to secure other vital installations in the province. - GMANews.TV