18 hurt in South Cotabato bus explosion, 3 dead in Basilan blast

InterAksyon (Oct 1): 18 hurt in South Cotabato bus explosion, 3 dead in Basilan blast



YBL bus by the highway after a suspected improvised explosive device went off at an overhead baggage compartment. Photograph from Brigada Koronadal.

A suspected improvised explosive devise (IED) went off inside a passenger bus at Polomolok, wounding 18 passengers who were on their way to General Santos City Thursday noon. Separately, a blast in Basilan killed three persons.

The photo below, from Ronda de Basilan shows the aftermath of the Basilan blast.



The bus in Polomolok, a unit of the Yellow Bus Line with body number 2008, had come from Koronadal City, and made stops in Tupi and Polomolok towns before it headed toward General Santos City.

Upon reaching Glamang, the border barangay of Polomolok with General Santos City, the bomb, apparently placed in the overhead baggage compartment exploded.

The bus driver and the conductor were not hurt, but five children, including a one-week infant, were among those who suffered wounds and brought to hospital in General Santos City, some six kilometers away from the scene of the explosion.

Seven of the wounded persons were later admitted to St. Elizabeth Hospital and General Santos City Doctors Hospital, while the rest were allowed to go home after first-aid treatment of their minor injuries.

Members of the police investigation and explosives unit were immediately dispatched to the scene to investigate.

The explosion came several weeks after another IED was also found inside a YBL bus inside the terminal in General Santos City.

The bomb disposal unit was able to retrieve the IED that time and later detonated it.
Meanwhile, a sketchy initial report indicated that an explosion was reported at past 1:00 o'clock in Brgy Sunrise, Isabela City on the island province of Basilan.

The suspected improvised explosive device went off just outside the residential compound of Isabela Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar.

The blast hit the motor convoy of Vice Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon, killing two co-passengers as well as a bystander identified as one Gregorio Heneral Delgado. It was not immediately clear if the vice mayor was hurt in the incident.

The report indicated that the IED might have been planted in a tricycle that was parked near where the explosion happened.

Meanwhile, a sketchy initial report indicated that an explosion was reported at past 1:00 o'clock in Brgy Sunrise, Isabela City on the island province of Basilan.

The suspected improvised explosive device went off just outside the residential compound of Isabela Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar.

The blast hit the motor convoy of Vice Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon, killing two co-passengers as well as a bystander identified as one Gregorio Heneral Delgado. It was not immediately clear if the vice mayor was hurt in the incident.

The report indicated that the IED might have been planted in a tricycle that was parked near where the explosion happened.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118304/18-hurt-in-south-cotabato-bus-explosion-3-dead-in-basilan-blast