Military Forces Prevented Bomb Attack at Agus 1 Power Plant in Marawi City

24 Oct Military Forces Prevented Bomb Attack at Agus 1 Power Plant in Marawi City

On October 22, Saturday around 6 a.m., elements of the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Detection (EOD) unit prevented a bomb explosion at the National Power Corporation’s Agus 1 Hydro-electric power plant in Marawi City.

An improvised explosive device (IED) was concealed in a small black bag and was planted below a steel iron post of the plant’s front gate. It was made by an 81-millimeter mortar round connected to a radio transceiver with wires.

Unidentified armed men also threw a grenade at the gate of Agus 1 and fortunately, no one was hurt during the attack, chief of the Regional Police Safety Battalion (RPSB) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Police Senior Inspector Epream Paguyod said.

Recovered at the crime scene was the grenade’s safety pin.

A police officer was patrolling at the front gate on that Saturday morning and discovered the black bag that holds the IED, Paguyod said adding that the officer immediately reported the information to the EOD and notified the military troops of 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) stationed at the 103rd Brigade in Kampo Ranao.

The series of attacks could have been an opposing act due to the progressive Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign, Paguyod added.

Paguyod also said that the terrorist Maute group may be behind these incidents as the bombing attempt may have been a test mission of the group’s newly trained recruits.

Paguyod stated, “We will not tolerate these kinds of activities that may affect the peace and order situation of Marawi City and some other towns in Lanao del Sur.”

The two attacks may be done by the Maute group as an offensive move against the military and Philippine National Police forces of the RPSB in Marawi City, commanding officer of the 65th IB, Colonel Joselito Pastarana said.

Pastarana stated, “As of the moment, we are on the heightened alert status. I have directed my men, particularly in patrol bases and checkpoints, to be more vigilant.”

News Source: Sun.Star