|
Friday, March 31, 2006
Rebels, extortionists eyed in Digos bus blast
By Ben O. Tesiorna and Rex C. Otero
THE police are still eyeing two angles in the blast inside a passenger bus in Digos City, Wednesday: the New People's Army, which celebrated its 37th anniversary on that day, and regular extortionists, who have been preying on Weena Bus for years now and blasting off a unit or two whenever the bus management refuses to give in to their demands.
In both instances, the two groups are said to be demanding money from the bus line.
Unconfirmed reports claimed the incident happened when the owners of Weena Bus Company refused to give "revolutionary tax" demanded by the communist group, which was celebrating its 37th Foundation Anniversary on the same day.
Weena Bus owner Digoy Valdevieso reportedly told authorities that a few hours before the explosion, an unidentified person called him up demanding P2.8 million.
Chief Superintendent Ricardo Quinto, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director, said the bomb that exploded inside Weena Bus is an incendiary bomb, a bomb intended to cause a fire after it explodes.
Davao City Police Office director Catalino Cuy added that the improvised explosive device was triggered by a lighted fuse and not a cellular phone as earlier claimed.
Cuy said an explosive ordnance team was sent to Digos to take part in the investigation.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Arturo Lomibao went to Digos City Thursday to personally check on the area as police and military authorities heightened the security alert level in the region. He was accompanied by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is also Regional Peace and Order Council chair.
Duterte said aside from extortion, they are also looking into the possible involvement of terror groups and the NPA.
The police also released Thursday the cartographic sketch of the suspect based on the description of Marlo Bangcot, the bus conductor.
Seventeen passengers and an ambulant vendor, and not 22 as reported previously in this paper, were injured when a bomb exploded inside a Weena Bus just as Lomibao was visiting neighboring Davao City and the New People's Army was celebrating its 37th anniversary.
Investigations reveal the suspect left the homemade bomb, placed in a small box, before he alighted from the bus at a public terminal in Digos.
Special Anti-terrorist Unit (Satu) blast investigator Chief Inspector Paulino Saulda said the bomb was made from ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer that when mixed with other chemicals can be used as an explosive. An ordinary blasting cap was connected to the explosive.
He said they recovered burned safety fuse, non-electric blasting cap, and disposable lighters from the crime scene.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (March 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
