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Extortionists demanding P60 million in protection from Transco is believed to be behind the explosion, authorities said.
Cotelco was thus forced to get power supply from Transco’s transmission line in Tacurong City while repairs of the Transco line in Barangay Nuangan, where the explosion happened, are still ongoing, said Felix Canja, Cotelco’s institutional manager.
The explosion was so loud and powerful that it jolted residents of Nuangan, where the bombed steel tower is located.
“We were in our deep sleep when we heard the loud explosion. Then there was total darkness,” said Carlo Agamon, reporter of radio station DXND who lives nearby.
Transco officials in Southwestern Mindanao who arrived at the bomb site few hours after the explosion have yet to assess the total cost of the damage but estimated it is millions of pesos.
Based on initial investigation, Kidapawan City police chief Leo Ajero said a commander of a lawless group operating in the region could be behind the attack.
“This group has already owned up the bombing of at least eight Transco transmission lines in Lanao del Sur,” Ajero said but refused to disclose identity of the group.