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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
1 more Yellow Bus bombed in Marbel
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Another unit of Yellow Bus Line Inc. (YBL) was bombed around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the company terminal in Koronadal City (also known as Marbel), pulling a fast one on the bus management that has set up strict security measures, and the military, which has just formed the Task Force Marbel last week.
Tuesday's attack was the fourth for the company, which implemented stricter security measures following the August 3 twin bombings that killed a pastor and injured 14 others.
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Senior Superintendent Robert Kiunisala, South Cotabato police director, said no one was injured as all passengers have already alighted from the bus when the bomb exploded.
The air-conditioned bus unit came from nearby Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province, he added.
Explosive experts said the bomb materials were not powerful, pointing out the minor damage inflicted on the YBL unit. The bomb ripped the rear portion of the bus.
In the past, authorities and bus management have blamed extortionists calling themselves as the Al Khobar group for the attacks.
The extortion ring reportedly asked for P2 million "protection fee," which the company did not give.
Al Khobar earlier claimed responsibility for the series of bomb attacks on Weena, another bus company operating in Mindanao.
The latest explosion in Koronadal came at the heels of the formation of the Task Force Marbel last week composed of Army personnel. The Task Force's headquarters is just opposite the YBL terminal.
Kiunisala said there were no advance calls to the management about the bombing, unlike in the past three attacks when the bombers warned the company.
In last month's attack, the YBL management was forced to suspend its operations for several days and resumed with tighter security measures that are still observed until today.
Improved security precautions involved the setting of iron bars, restricting some parts of the terminal from the public, and inspection of baggage.
More security personnel were also deployed at the vicinity of the terminal, on top of private security guards hired by the company.
The latest bombing in Koronadal, which is about 60 kilometers from Davao City, happened four days before the opening of the 16th Mindanao Business Conference here, the island's annual biggest gathering of business and government leaders.
On July 18, a unit of YBL was bombed at the Tacurong City terminal, injuring three persons. And on July 7, another fleet was also blown up near where the August 3 twin explosions occurred. (BSS/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (September 19, 2007 issue)
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