A PASSENGER died and 11 others were injured when a bomb exploded in their bus in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat before noon yesterday, the military reported.
Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said they are eyeing extortion as the motive behind the bombing of the bus owned by the Yellow Bus Line.
Galido said the bus, en route to Gen. Santos City from Kidapawan City, was rocked by an explosion at around 11:30 a.m. near the St. Louis Hospital in Barangay Isabela.
An improvised explosive device was used in the bombing, according to 6th ID spokesman Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato.
“YBL has been constantly receiving extortion messages ever since and we have been working with them (to identify and arrest those behind it),” said Galido.
Galido said the extortionists may have perpetrated yesterday’s attack because YBL refused to give in to their demand.
“Regularly, they receive extortion (demands) and we have leads (on who are behind this),” said Galido.
Galido declined to identify the group they suspect to be involved in the bombing, noting an investigation is ongoing. “But hopefully, we can get them soon,” he said.
Almorato said investigators are checking the “bomb signature,” which he added can determine if the bomb used in the attack was manufactured by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) or Daulah Islamiyah (BIFF).
The BIFF and the DI, terrorist organizations that are into extortion activities, had been linked to several bombing of YBL buses in the past, the most recent of which was last May in Koronadal City that injured a tricycle driver.
“We’re working with the police to do counter-action on the possible suspects,” said Galido.
Galido said YBL management had ordered its drivers to pick up passengers in designated pick-up points only to ensure that people riding their buses are properly inspected.
Galido said: “We always keep reminding YBL to strengthen their security…We are still investigating the circumstances because we have a guidance for them to never pick up passengers outside pick-up points.”
Galido could not immediately say if the ill-fated bus picked up passengers outside pick-up points “but we are investigating.”
