FOILED ATTACK. The Davao Metro Shuttle Bus at the Kidapawan City terminal after the failed firebomb attack on the unit on July 8, 2021. The city police office has recommended to bus companies plying the city and North Cotabato routes to install CCTV cameras in their units and consider the deployment of marshals inside buses. (Photo courtesy of Kidapawan CPO)
KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Police authorities here have recommended the deployment of marshals and installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all passenger buses plying this city and the rest of the province.
On Sunday, Lt. Col. Lauro Espida, Kidapawan police director, said also being considered is the deployment of bus marshals who will ensure all passengers and bags are properly inspected.
“The presence of CCTV cameras will help identify perpetrators of bomb attacks on buses,” he said.
The recommendation came after a failed firebomb attack on a unit of the Davao Metro Shuttle Bus while parked at Kidapawan City integrated bus terminal on July 8.
Espida said the mild explosion at the rear portion of the bus did not create fire although the bag left by a still unidentified passenger contained flammable items. Found inside the bag were two canisters of butane gas, mobile phones, a 9-volt battery, and other incendiary bomb components.
“It was meant to ignite a fire and eventually burn the bus,” Espida said, adding that the attempt could be related to extortion activities of a still-unidentified group from the bus company.
He said the targeted bus by extortionists left Arakan, North Cotabato on its way to Davao City via Kidapawan City when the blast occurred at the Kidapawan transport terminal at 3:45 p.m.
Two units of the Yellow Bus Lines were also bombed and torched in January and June, respectively, this year in North Cotabato, which were blamed by authorities to extortion groups. (PNA)
