The Philippine National Police BARMM has released the artist’s sketch of the person of interest in the explosion of a Rural Transit bus in Barangay Making, Parang town, Maguindanao Sunday morning.
This is from the testimony of the bus passengers, which in turn matches the picture taken from the CCTV inside the bus. The man was one of 23 passengers who got off before the explosion occurred.
The PNP BARMM has formed a special investigation task group to focus on the investigation.
“Based po sa nakuhang impormasyon ng ating mga imbestigador, wala na naman pong mga demands, walang insidente that can be attributed to extortion. Kaya ang lumalabas ngayon na angle of investigation is the rivalry between van operators at ng Rural Transit Bus,” said PNP BARMM regional director Police Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona.
According to the PNP BARMM, cellphones, blasting caps, high explosives with nails, and scrap metals were used as IED components.
Authorities also found that apart from the bomb that exploded, the EOD team found a secondary IED on another side of the bus, which was immediately disrupted.
Six people injured in the explosion, including the bus conductor, are recovering at the hospital.
PNP releases sketch of suspect in Maguindanao bus explosion
The bus was coming from General Santos City to Dipolog City.
It takes passengers to Cotabato City. They stopped over at Parang so that passengers could have breakfast when the explosion occurred.
He ordered all PNP units to intensify their security measures on roads, terminals, and other populated areas.
Maj Gen Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division, condemned the incident and advised the public to remain vigilant against the perpetrators of the attack.
He added that they would immediately report to the authorities suspicious individuals and activities in their communities.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) revealed that some young athletes were on board the blown-up bus in Parang, Maguindanao.
The athletes and their coach were on their way to Pagadian from Cotabato City to compete in the Asean School Games qualifiers, according to PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez.
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