The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing the involvement of a local criminal group in the bus stop bombing in Tulunan, North Cotabato on Wednesday that left one person dead and three others wounded.
PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the initial investigation disclosed that extortion is the most likely motive and that it was carried out by members of the local crime group Al Khobar which is engaged in extortion activities on businessmen in the province and nearby areas.
The same group has been tagged in the past in several bus bombing and bus burning activities in Central Mindanao.
On Wednesday afternoon, an improvised explosive device, exploded at the waiting shed in Barangay Sibsib and killed 53-year-old fruit vendor Gina Paunon.
The explosion also wounded Ryan Panibayo, 28; Lorester Hilbero,25; and Kenneth Grace Alarin, 29. Given first aid at a local hospital due to blast trauma were Edwardo Odango, 53; Kent Lloyd Senadero, 19; and Rodel Secur, 24.
The blast occurred just as a Yellow Bus Line (YBL) bus made a stop to unload and pick-up passengers. The blast hit the right side of the bus.
During the investigation, it was found out that a spokesman of the Al Khobar Group has been demanding money from the operator of the bus company and threatened a bomb attack if they fail to give it.
Sinas, however, said they are not discounting other possibilities and other threat groups in the area. (Aaron Recuenco)
