PNP chief orders full probe into Lanao Sur NGCP tower explosion

PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos ordered Saturday a thorough investigation into the bombing of a National Grid Corporation of the Philippines transmission tower in Lanao del Sur.

Carlos said he directed the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regional police to conduct an in-depth investigation into last Thursday's  blast that affect NGCP Tower #65 of the Agus 2-Kibawe 138kV line in Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

The NGCP reported that this transmission line segment has been “unenergized” since September 2021 due to sabotage of its insulators by still unidentified individuals.

Meanwhile, the company underscored that the bombings have increased the burden of the public, citing that service interruptions occurred when towers are bombed.

Also, the NGCP appealed to the authorities to help identify the individuals behind the bombing.

“The investigation will establish what really transpired. We are also coordinating with NGCP and other possible witnesses of the bombing incident,” Carlos said in a statement.

Carlos said the PNP also condemned the act that only brought more burden to the affected communities.

“The PNP understands that this incident will further burden the public as service interruption of power supply is inevitable. The PNP will exert all effort to identify and arrest those responsible,” he added.

The NGCP said the repair of Tower 65 will begin as soon as the area is secured.

In May 2016, an NGCP tower was also bombed in Lanao Sur, the 6th bombing incident of that year suffered by the power grid. —LBG, GMA News