In a southern Philippine city on Sunday, a homemade bomb detonated inside a bus, killing one passenger and injuring ten others in what investigators believe was an attempt at extortion.
Just before midday, a bomb went off at the back of the bus carrying an unknown number of people as it approached a transportation hub in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province, according to the police.
Investigators were trying to determine if the attackers were from the same armed group that had staged similar bombings in past years to extort money from the Yellow Bus Line, which operates in key southern cities, military and police officials said.
Regional army commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido said the bus company “has been constantly receiving extortion messages.” The military and police have been working with the bus owners to capture the extortionists, who may have been angered by the bus company’s refusal to pay off, Galido said.
Police have blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a small rebel force that has aligned itself with the Daesh group, for similar bus bombings in the past.
Just before midday, a bomb went off at the back of the bus carrying an unknown number of people as it approached a transportation hub in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province, according to the police.
Investigators were trying to determine if the attackers were from the same armed group that had staged similar bombings in past years to extort money from the Yellow Bus Line, which operates in key southern cities, military and police officials said.
Regional army commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido said the bus company “has been constantly receiving extortion messages.” The military and police have been working with the bus owners to capture the extortionists, who may have been angered by the bus company’s refusal to pay off, Galido said.
Police have blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a small rebel force that has aligned itself with the Daesh group, for similar bus bombings in the past.
