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| ONE of the fallen NLREC towers in Pasuquin (Frances Kristy Alegre photo) |
By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte—Two transmission towers of the North Luzon Renewable Energy Corp. were bombed on Thursday night, February 18.
Pasuquin Mayor Peter Felix Aguinaldo confirmed this on February 19 following reports from nearby residents in the mountainous barangay of Tadao, about 25 kilometers from Laoag City.
According to residents, they felt like there was an earthquake at about 9:30 pm February 18 but they did not bother to see what was going on outside their residence. In the morning, they found the fallen adjacent line towers connecting the wind farms in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. of press time, local authorities here are still investigating the incident which they theorized was done by a bomb expert.
Investigators added that improvised explosive device were recovered in the area including fragmentations, surgical masks, batteries, firing wires, plastic gloves and claymore mines. Those materials, they added are similar to those used in the NGCP towers bombing recently.
Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos ordered further investigation citing the incident is totally unacceptable and that perpetrators be held responsible.
When reached for comment, NLREC representatives based in Ilocos Norte said they have yet to come up with an official statement regarding the matter.
It may be recalled that on November 2014, a protest action marred the inauguration of the 81-megawatt Pagudpud wind farm which NLREC operates.
Protesters then appealed to NLREC to relocate its transmission lines that they said intruded into their land.
But according to NLREC, they have no pending issues pertaining to the construction of their transmission lines with lot owners.
The Pagudpud wind farm is a joint venture of Ayala Corporation’s AC Energy Holdings, Inc. (ACEHI), UPC Renewables, and Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure (PINAI).
Earlier, the Department of Energy (DOE) has given the Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corporation (NLUPC) the go-signal to construct the $220-M wind project.