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Friday, July 25, 2008
Extortion eyed in Digos bus bombing
DAVAO CITY -- A powerful bomb exploded at the back portion of a Metro Shuttle airconditioned bus parked inside the Digos City Overland Terminal before noon Thursday.
The blast killed three people and wounded 24 others. Four of the injured victims are in critical condition at the Davao Medical Center. A four-year-old boy from Davao City is among those hit by shrapnel.
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The mobile phone-activated bomb that was placed inside a bag exploded 10 minutes after it reached the terminal, shattering the bus glass windows.
The Eastern Mindanao Command reported that the bus, with plate number LWS 506 and body number 176, stopped over at the terminal on its way to Davao City from Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
As this developed, security has been tightened at commercial centers and vital installations in Davao City, setting up police and military checkpoints in and around the city.
Police identified the 24 injured victims as: bus driver Alfonso Rebuyon, Pinky Patalinghug, Raj Villamel Monforte, Jane Monforte, Matet Orboda, Jesus Berio, Roberto Doromal III, Flor Ramay, Verie Lamas, Donerey Simpron, Leodonedo Maraginot, Angelita Gensalya, Lolito Satinigan, PO1 Andres Alfonso of Padada police, Ramon Crisologo, Ricardo Ricana, Magna Parantar, Mayonnaise Sanchez, Angtelita Gersalia, Fedelito Recana, Dexter Maldas, Zoila Ganal, Christian Sanchez, and Xyra Abellero.
Police probers are looking into extortion as possible motive behind the incident, but did not rule out the possibility that such could have been perpetrated by terrorists.
Regional Police Chief Andres Caro said that before the explosion, a man who identified himself as a member of Al Khobar Gang called up the office of Metro Shuttle at Ecoland Terminal, asking for money, but did not divulge the amount.
Al Khobar is known for its extortion activities in Central Mindanao.
Metro Shuttle owner Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy readily declared that the company will shoulder all hospital bills of the victims as he vowed that "extra-precautionary measures" will be taken by their company so that same incident would not happen again.
Major Patrick Cinco of Task Force Davao said military checkpoints in and around the city as well as intelligence operations have been intensified in order to avoid any direct attacks in the city. "We are monitoring the terrorists," he said.
The Eastern Mindanao Command, on the other hand, is now coordinating with the Philippine National Police to secure commercial centers and vital installations in Davao City.
"We are intensifying the security in the commercial centers here in Davao City," said Major Armand Rico, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities hinted at the possible involvement of a terror group operating in the area.
"We will go after their guerilla bases," Rico added.
The bomber is still at large and no arrest has been made as of this writing Thursday. (BOT/CPM/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex/With AP)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (July 25, 2008 issue)
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