Identity of extortionists baffle authorities

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 17): Identity of extortionists baffle authorities

An officer of the 10th Infantry Division revealed investigation is still going on regarding the identity of the perpetrators behind the burning of a Yellow Bus unit in Tupi, South Cotabato.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the management of the Yellow Bus Line declined to confirmed whether they received an extortion letter from anyone regarding the burning of the bus.

He said the Yellow Bus Line denied that they received an extortion letter prior to the burning of the unit.

“In this incident, the perpetrators were armed with pistols.  In other similar incidents of extortion in Matana-ao, Davao del Sur, Alabel, Sarangani Province, and in General Santos City, the perpetrators were heavily armed,” Batchar said.

He said the Philippine Army has coordinated with the police in putting up random checkpoints in the area with the latest bus burning which occurred 4.5 kilometers from the headquarters of the 27th IB.
Batchar also urged owners of public transport to cooperate in the investigation.

Armed men torched before dawn Sunday, November 13,  a bus of Yellow Bus Company in a remote village of Tupi, South Cotabato.  

Supt. Romeo Galgo, speaking for police in Central Mindanao region, said the burning of Yellow Bus unit (Body number 77 and temporary plate number 1301-51080) transpired at about 4:20 a.m. in Barangay Kablon, Tupi, South Cotabato, about 50 kilometers east of Koronadal.  

Citing report from Tupi Municipal Police Office, Galgo said five men boarded the Gen. Santos City-bound bus along the national highway in a bus stop in Crossing Polonuling.  

They directed the driver to turn left toward an open field of pineapple plantation. After about 100 meters away from the national highway, more armed rebels were seen waiting.  

Then the gunmen ordered the passengers, including the driver, to alight.  Other armed men poured gasoline inside and around the air condition bus with body number 77.  

Then they set on fire the unit and fled deep into the forest of Mt. Matutum.   The passengers were not harmed.  

Responding police and elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion failed to catch up with the suspects who fled toward Mt. Matutum.  Pursuit operations continue.  

Police eyed extortion as the motive of the burning of YBL unit, one of the many similar instances the past years.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2381479284732/identity-of-extortionists-baffle-authorities