BLAST SITE. Police officers respond to a blast in the North Cotabato town of Tulunan around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 27, 2021). The explosion killed a sidewalk vendor and injured five other bystanders. (Photos courtesy of former North Cotabato Board Member Socrates Piñol)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ordered a probe on the explosion in North Cotabato that killed a fruit vendor and wounded three others.
In a statement Thursday, PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas said police investigators are looking at extortion by a local organized crime group as the possible motive behind the blast at a bus stop in the town of Tulunan on Wednesday noon.
Sinas said there were reports that the Alkhobar Group, a local crime organization in the area has threatened to bomb the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) company if it will not give in to its monetary demand.
Sinas has ordered the investigative units of the Police Regional Office in Soccsksargen (PRO-12) to assist local police in establishing the circumstances behind the blast.
Killed in the blast was fruit vendor Gina Paunon, 53, of Purok 1, F. Cajelo, Tulunan, Cotabato, who succumbed to blast injuries.
Those wounded were identified as Ryan Panibayo, 28; Lorester Hilbero, 25; and Kenneth 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.
Investigation disclosed that an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at a waiting shed and bus pick-up point when a YBL bus with body number 2988 stopped to pick up and unload passengers. The blast hit the right side of the bus.
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, PRO-12 director, Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, said they are not discounting other possibilities and other threat groups in the area. (PNA)
