PNP: Extortionist behind attempt to topple power lines in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (May 8): PNP: Extortionist behind attempt to topple power lines in North Cotabato
 
Police here believed the motive in the attempt to topple a major power transmission line in North Cotabato was triggered by an ignored extortion demand by lawless groups, police here said.

Police and military have deployed civilian volunteers to secure the power lines following the bomb attempt in one of the steel transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Kabacan police chief Supt. Leo Ajero said suspected extortion gangs planted a powerful improvised explosive device at the foot of the steel tower in Barangay Kayaga and set off at about 10:00 p.m. Monday. The blast failed to damage the steel tower, according to Ajero.

Ajero said the IED has malfunctioned and it did not fully explode, describing it as semi-dud IED.

Chief Inspector Jerson Birrey, North Cotabato police office community relations chief, said the NGCP which transmits power from Bukidnon to North Cotabato had been receiving extortion demand from lawless elements.

Birrey did not name the group responsible in the attempt but he added pursuit operations are still ongoing.

Police and Army bomb experts said the IED has the signature of al-Khobar extortion gang operating in North Cotabato.

Al-Khobar extortion group composed of former Moro rebels turned bandits has been operating in North Cotabato and victimizing transport companies and multinational corporations.

Police have recovered a Nokia 3310 mobile phone which was used by the suspects as trigger mechanism.

Ajero said the mobile phone was not damaged and it had two missed calls, an indication that it was called to ignite the main charge which police believed was made of 60 mm mortar.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=523676