The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has started the investigation on the series of Yellow Bus Line, Inc. (YBLI), Mindanao Star Bus, and Rural Tours bombing attacks in Mindanao.
There are already six bombings attacks on bus lines in Mindanao in the last two years, said the NBI in a statement.
NBI Director Eric Distor has led the probe and called on NBI Regional Directors and officials to take part in the said investigation.
Distor, with the team of NBI-Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD) operatives, traveled to the areas of concerns in Mindanao, together with the NBI forensic experts and evidence response team. NBI Deputy Director for Forensic Investigation Service (DDFIS) Ferdinand Lavin and Deputy Director for Intelligence Service (DDIntS) Roel Bolivar also joined the NBI team in Mindanao.
The series of bombing incidents started on January 7, 2021, with a hoax bomb threat and extortion demand being sent to YBLI Koronadal City, South Cotabato office. At the time of the call, YBL bus no. 2688 was at Kidapawan, Cotabato Overland Terminal, and was searched by PNP EOD. The emplaced improvised explosive device (IED) was found thereat and was rendered safe. Footage taken from the YBL Bus no. 2688 CCTV camera showed two male passengers leaving the IED inside the bus.
Twenty days after, on January 27, 2021, a bomb exploded in YBLI bus no. 2988 at a stop over at National Highway, Crossing Sibsib, Tulunan, North Cotabato. One civilian was killed and four civilians were wounded in the incident. Extortion and terrorism were the motives of the bombing according to the military.
Another bombing incident took place on June 3, 2021 where YBLI bus no. A-104 was burned at M’Lang, North Cotabato, killing three civilians while six others were injured.
This year, four bus bombings occurred in separate locations in Mindanao. On January 11, 2022, a Mindanao Star bus was bombed in Aleosan, North Cotabato where a five-year-old boy expired and three individuals got injured.
On April 24, 2022, a bus of Rural Tours Bus exploded in Parang, Maguindanao hurting at least three passengers.
On May 26, 2022, two separate explosions transpired. Another YBLI bus (no. 2108) was bombed at Koronadal City, wounding two civilians. Reportedly, YBLI received an extortion demand before the attack.
On the other hand, a roadside explosion took place at Exit Road, Brgy Calean, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident. Extortion and terrorism are the motives of the bombing based on information gathered.
The Bureau’s probe on the series of bombings is directed in ensuring national security as well as to prevent possible major attacks not only in Mindanao but also in the entire country.
