Police investigators are looking at extortion by a local organized crime group as possible motive behind an explosion at a bus stop in North Cotabato this afternoon.
PNP Chief, Police General Debold M Sinas has mobilized the investigative units of Police Regional Office-12 under Police Brigadier General Michael John Dubria to assist local police in establishing the circumstances surrounding the explosion at 12:45 PM at a waiting shed in Barangay Sibsib, Tulunan, North Cotabato Province.
Initial field reports indicate the death of Gina Paunon, 53, a fruit vendor of Purok 1, F. Cajelo, Tulunan, Cotabato due to blast injuries.
Wounded in the explosion were: Ryan Panibayo,28; Lorester Hilbero,25; and Kenneth Grace Alarin, 29. Also given first aid at a local hospital due to blast trauma were: Edwardo Odango ,53; Kent Lloyd Senadero,19; and Rodel Secur,24.
Initial investigation disclosed that an Improvised Explosive Device was detonated at a waiting shed and bus pick-up point at the exact moment when a Yellow Bus Line (YBL) bus with body number 2988 made a stop to pickup and unload passengers. The blast hit the right side of the bus, the report said.
Investigators are validating intelligence reports that a caller, claiming to be the spokesperson of Al Khobar Group “is demanding an unspecified amount from the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) and threatened with an IED attack”.
However, Dubria said they are not discounting other possibilities and other threat groups in the area.
(PNP-PIO)
