9 dead, 17 hurt in Bukidnon bus explosion

From GMA News (Dec 9): 9 dead, 17 hurt in Bukidnon bus explosion

Nine people were killed while 17 others were hurt in a bus explosion in Barangay Mus-wan in Maramag town in Bukidnon past 5 p.m. Tuesday, police and military officials said.

The explosion occurred across Central Mindanao University, at a time when students were going home.

Bukidnon police spokesperson Inspector Jeselle Longakit said the bus came from Wao, Lanao del Sur, and was heading for Cagayan de Oro City.

Lt. Norman Tagros, spokesman of the Army's 8th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers were still trying to determine the motive behind the blast.

Initial investigation showed an improvised explosive device went off inside the Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. bus (2640) which plies the Cagayan de Oro City route, according to a report on "24 Oras."

Maj. Christian Uy, public affairs officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said authorities are still investigating as to the people or group behind the attack.

“None yet, it's too early to tell,” said Uy when asked on the possible suspects.

Second since November

A report on Mindanao news site Gold Star Daily said it was the second bombing of a bus in Maramag town since November.

The November explosion was blamed on a terror group that allegedly planted a crude bomb based on a 60-mm mortar shell with a triggering device in the RTMI bus.

At the time, the RTMI bus was bound from Tacurong City to Cagayan de Oro.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/391845/news/regions/9-dead-17-hurt-in-bukidnon-bus-explosion