Bomb explosions at power station blacks out parts of the south of the country

Blackouts were reported in the Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines on 10 January 2009 after militants detonated several bombs at a power station. Authorities stated that members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) militant group planted at least three explosives that destroyed the main power transmission line which feeds power from the station to the grid network of three provinces on the Zamboanga Peninsula. Repair crews are reportedly working around the clock to fix the damage and restore power to the area. Representatives of the power company told reporters that it could be three or four days until power is fully restored to all customers. Investigators believe the militants may have targeted the power station because a Chinese company is scheduled to take over operations at the facility next week.