Power pylon bombed, Chatto wants power facilities secured

Another electric transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) was blasted by still unidentified perpetrators shortly after midnight Sunday in Barangay Camanaga, San Miguel town.

On Monday after receiving the report of the bombing of the power pylon, Gov. Edgar Chatto convened a special committee at the People’s Mansion, comprised of Bohol Police Provincial Director SSupt. Constantino Barot Jr., Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner of the 2nd Special Forces Batallion, San Miguel Mayor Claudio Bonior, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II and Provincial Legal Officer Mitchell John Boiser, to address the security of power facilities as this is the fourth electric pylon attacked by unidentified men.

Camanaga Barangay Captain Diosdado Bonilla, in an interview with dyRD “Inyong Alagad” on Tuesday, said he heard the blast shortly after midnight Sunday, but thought it was a thunder clap, as it was also raining heavily that time.

It was only on Sunday morning that they discovered one of the electric pylons damaged with its huge iron bars and concrete base blasted. There were no power interruption caused by the blast as the tower was not yet fixed with energized lines.

Army units in a nearby detachment are now patrolling the area for possible attacks on three other towers situated near the said village.

Bonilla said it is unlikely that the bombing was carried out by disgruntled residents whose lands are affected by the transmission lines. He said as far as he knew, all of residents in his barangays with claims against NGCP have already been paid out by the electric transmission company.

Although, the barangay captain said the police has not discounted the possibility that displeased residents in other barangays are behind the atrocity who has not yet received their monetary settlement from the NGCP.

In a separate interview, SSupt. Barot said the PNP has ruled out the possibility of elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) responsible for the bombing.

Despite the inconclusive initial investigation conducted jointly by the Bohol-PNP and the Philippine Army, Chatto has directed the two commanders to assist the NGCP in securing their facilities which is are considered vital installations.

It may be recalled that last December 3, 2011, three transmission towers of the NGCP in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan town were also bombed by unidentified men.