Saturday, August 04, 2007
US bomb experts join probe of Koronadal’s bus blasts that killed 1, wounded 12 (2:20 p.m.)
KORONADAL -- U.S. explosives experts are assisting in a probe into two bombs that ripped through a crowded bus terminal in the southern Philippines killing one passenger and injuring 12 more, police said Saturday.
Two U.S. military bomb experts inspected the scene of Friday's blasts at Koronadal city in South Cotabato province on Saturday police Senior Superintendent Robert Kiunisala said.
Kiunisala said the blasts may have been carried out by extortionists linked to Islamic militants, particularly the Alcobar gang who called the company to demand money shortly before the blasts. This was the third attack targeting the same bus company since the beginning of July.
A 31-year-old Protestant pastor was killed instantly when the first bomb - left among baggage to be loaded on a bus - exploded at the bus terminal Friday, and 12 other people were wounded, Kiunisala said.
The first bomb was an improvised explosive device containing nails, and that the second was an incendiary bomb with gasoline, Kiunisala said
Police suspect the attackers detonated the bombs using a cell phone. (AP) |
