IEDs topple 2 NGCP towers in N. Cotabato town

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Two powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) toppled down two towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Barangay Batulawan here, around 1135 p.m., Friday, police official said. Senior Inspector Sindatu Karim, chief of Pikit PNP, said the explosions were so powerful that they were heard from the Pikit municipal station, at least nine kilometers from the blast site. Minutes after the explosions, Pikit town experienced blackouts, which lasted until Saturday dawn, Karim said. After hearing the blasts, Karim said he immediately jumped off his feet and went straight to the area, along with operatives from Task Force Pikit and elements of the 7thInfantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. They were surprised to see two NGCP towers already toppled down. Officials from NGCP Mindanao have yet to issue statement about the incident. Authorities have yet to identify the group and the motive behind the blasts. Karim said extortion could be one of the angles but they have to dig deeper their probe. We saw a pattern here. That every time election comes near, NGCP towers are toppled down. But we have yet to investigate further,” he said.