Bomb explosion topples Zamboanga electric pole

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A bomb explosion toppled a concrete electric pole and cut off power to a remote village about 82 kilometers from downtown Zamboanga.

Zamboanga Electric Cooperative General Manager Engr. Gannymede Tiu reads The Zamboanga Post newspaper. Tiu says a concrete electric pole was bombed in the village of Tumitus, 82 kilometers from downtown Zamboanga, but there had been no reports of casualties, although the blast cut off power in the area. (Photo by Al Jacinto)

Police said the bomber used ANFO or ammonium nitrate fuel oil, but would not say whether the weekend blast in the village of Tumitus was carried out by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf or other rebel groups.

The military and the local government have not reported the bombing, but the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) only confirmed the blast on Monday after The Mindanao Examiner sought confirmation of the blast from cooperative officials.

Engr. Gannymede Tiu, ZAMCELCO general manager, said the bombing had damaged the pole. “The blast toppled one of the concrete poles and there was no report of casualties, although the blast cut off power in the area and repair works are going on as we speak,” he told The Mindanao Examiner by phone from his office.

Tiu believes the bomber may have left the improvised explosive on the base of the electric pole to avoid being caught by patrolling security forces. “I believe the bomber never intended to target our electric pole, otherwise he should have bombed our substation nearby,” he said.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but previous attacks had been largely blamed on the Abu Sayyaf, a small, but notorious extremist group whose leaders have pledged allegiance with the Islamic State.

Security forces continue to fight the Abu Sayyaf in the neighboring island-province of Basilan, about 34.5 nautical miles south of Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)