Monday, June 18, 2007 Foreign bomb experts arrive to help in post blasts probe
BOMB experts from the US Army Special Forces and Federal Bureau of Investigation arrived in Central Mindanao to assist local authorities in the probe of the bomb attacks of Weena buses in Cotabato City, Bansalan in Davao del Sur and the discovery of a car bomb in Surallah, South Cotabato.
The military and police are also looking into three angles on the bombing of Weena buses. First, is extortion by rebel groups for failure to collect revolutionary taxes for the bus’ company.
The second angle is the involvement of Jemaah Islamiyah and the third, is that the bombings were perpetrated by dismissed employees of the bus company.
Fedrico Dulay, Cotabato Provincial Police Director, said they have identified several suspects in connection with the series of bombings though he refused to reveal their identities so as not to preempt ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, residents in Central Mindanao expressed dismay over the temporary suspension of bus routes from Cotabato to Davao City. The riding public in the area have requested the military and police to tighten the security in Weena bus terminals to avoid future bombings and the loss of innocent lives. (Garry Fuerzas)>/b>
