PNP, Army hunt suspects in Lanao bombing

11/09/2009

The commander of the Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office (PRO-13) yesterday ordered all police field offices in the region to extend ample security assistance to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in the wake of Thursday’s bombing of two transmission towers in Lanao del Norte province.

PRO-13 director, Chief Supt. Danilo Empedrad also ordered the provincial directors and municipal chiefs of police to closely coordinate with the Army and local government units in the area for safety and security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Empedrad issued the directive after unidentified gunmen suspected to be members of the Muslim separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) bombed two NGCP towers in Kauswagan town, Lanao del Norte early Thursday morning, heavily damaging the facilities.

Initial reports reaching the regional command and tactical operation center of PRO-13 at Camp Alagar in Cagayan de Oro City stated that some 20 members of a rogue MILF commandeer led by a certain “Commander Top Sider” planted an improvised explosive device at the foot of the NGCP Tower 1 in Barangay Baraason at about 2 a.m. The explosion damaged the three steel posts of the tower.

After toppling down Tower 1, the gunmen planted another explosive at Tower 28 in nearby Barangay Tingin-Tingin, also damaging the structure.

Army soldiers and policemen have launched a pursuit operation against the fleeing gunmen. PNA

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