Troubled Zamboanga local climbs NGCP tower; triggers power outage

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) temporarily had to shut down power in Zamboanga City after an emotionally troubled local climbed up one of its towers and threatened to kill himself.

According to Cedric Castillo's Friday report on 24 Oras, the local had relationship troubles and had clambered up the high up the tower on Thursday afternoon with a rope tied around his neck.

After about three hours of negotiating with responders at the scene, the man eventually took the noose off and climbed down.

As they wait for the results of a medical exam, the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) said the climber could face charges.

"If it is found that the person is indeed sane and there is noting wrong with him, then I believe a case will have to be filed against him," CDRRMO chief Dr. Elmier Apolinario said.

This was not the first time for someone to climb the NGCP tower.

To prevent this from occurring again in the future, the disaster office said it would discuss safety measures with the NGCP.

"Because it appears that their transmission lines are exposed to anybody who would like to climb," Apolinario said. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News