BUS EXPLOSION. A blast rips though the back of a Yellow Bus Line unit around 12:15 p.m. Thursday (May 26, 2022) in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. Two persons are injured in the incident. (Photo courtesy of Brigada GenSan)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY—An explosion ripped though the back of a passenger bus injuring two people in the South Cotabato city of Koronadal Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The Yellow Bus Line unit was cruising on a busy highway around 12:15 p.m. near a mall when the explosion occurred, injuring tricycle driver Wilfredo Ilagan Tino and another unidentified individual.
A CCTV video of the explosion showed Valenzuela's tricycle was cruising near the bus, stopping on its tracks when the blast occurred.
A report from the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO) said Valenzuela was rushed to the hospital.
All six passengers, including the conductor and driver, were unharmed.
Brigadier Gen. Eduardo Gubat, acting 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, said the bus was on its way to Koronadal City terminal from Tacurong City.
Gubat said the bombing in Koronadal City and the neighboring Tacurong City minutes later on the same day may have been a retaliation for the May 23, 2022 death of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter- Karialan Faction member Abdul Patir.
No one was hurt in the Tacurong City blast around 12:45 p.m. Thursday. No one has claimed responsibility for both explosions.
Gubat said the operation that killed Patir in the Maguindanao town of Datu Salibo also wounded the leader of the Dawlah Islamiya, Abu Turaife.
“Initially, this a reaction to what we did a successful combat. Maraming wounded at may namatay sa kanila and they were recovered firearms doon sa Datu Salibo sa Maguindanao against Dawlah Islamiyah headed by Abu Turaife and hindi lang na-account yung mga wounded,” Gubat said.
Gubat said all Army units in the region have ordered to be on guard against saboteurs, especially terrorists targeting innocent civilians. (PNA)
