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GENERAL SANTOS CITY: Another Yellow Bus Line vehicle
was bombed at around 10:45 a.m. Monday right inside the unloading
section of the bus terminal in General Santos Drive, Koronadal City.
Senior Robert Kiunisala,
Koronadal city police director, said though the incident caused
panic among passengers and nearby stallholders, no one was reported
hurt as the improvised explosive device (IED) exploded after
passengers have already gotten off the bus.
This is the fourth YBL bombing
attack since the last two months in Koronadal and Tacurong City. The
succeeding attacks resulted in the death of a church minister and
the wounding of several passengers and bystanders.
Police said the suspected bombers
hid the square-type, small and cellular phone operated homemade bomb
under the seat.
“Perhaps this is a reminder for
people to be extra careful and vigilant in monitoring the
surrounding. Or could it another be reminder for the bus management
from suspected extortionists,” Kiunisala said.
Information stressed the attacks
against YBL has been lodged by a newly formed terrorist group
called, Al-Khobar gang. The group started assaulting the company
after the management refused to put up with the group’s demand of
monthly protection money.
“The Al-Khobar is reportedly
asking P500, 000 monthly protection money from the bus
management,” Kiunisala told The Manila Times in a telephone
patched interview Tuesday.
As to this writing, additional
policemen were deployed to various strategic spots in the city,
while the military immediately established checkpoints to various
entry and exit ways around the locality.
--Isagani P. Palma
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