Suspected NPA rebels torch bus in Koronadal

From InterAksyon (Dec 22): Suspected NPA rebels torch bus in Koronadal



Charred remains of Husky Bus. Photographed by BRIGADA KORONADAL

A brand new Husky passenger bus was torched by armed men, suspected to be members of the communist rebel New People's Army (NPA) at the stretch of the national highway in Barangay Morales, Koronadal City Wednesday evening.

The incident reportedly happened at around 7:15 p.m., when the bus that originated in Cotabato City and bearing temporary plate number 1301-658771 and body number 6388, was just a few kilometers away from its Koronadal terminal.

The driver, known initially by his moniker Mirafrente, said he stopped the bus to pick up a passenger, and eight armed men, still unidentified, clambered on board brandishing hand guns.

Then he, together with 33 passengers, were forced to get off before the armed men started dousing the interior of the bus with petrol.

They promptly set fire to the vehicle.

After making sure the bus was significantly torched, the bandits took off.

According to Husky Bus manager Carlo Manalo, the bus cost PhP5 million.

Just this Nobyembre 27, another Husky bus was similarly torched by men who declared themselves to be NPA fighters, at Tantangan, South Cotabato.

http://interaksyon.com/article/135494/suspected-npa-rebels-torch-bus-in-koronadal