Rebels bomb power transmission in southern Philippines

Suspected insurgents bombed a power transmission on Friday in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Norte but failed to disrupt power supply.

Major Randolp Cabangbang, regional military spokesman, said Saturday only two of four improvised bombs fashioned from mortar shell exploded in one of the towers of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in the village of Tingintingin, Kauswagan townships.

The steel tower leaned to one side due to the explosions but its function was not affected.

Cabangbang said they suspect rouge members of the Moro Islamic Liberation front under Commander Abdullah Macapaar, also known as Bravo.

Bravo was blamed in string of deadly attacks in the restive south following the aborted signing of homeland deal in Malaysia on August last year.

Troops have been pursing Bravo and another rebel commander, Ameril Kato that killed over 60 civilians in a deadly rampage condemned by international aid agencies. The fighting has affected more than 600,000 people.

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