At least 1 dead, 11 hurt after bomb explodes on bus in Sultan Kudarat

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – At least one person was killed and 11 hurt after a bomb went off inside a bus in Sultan Kudarat shortly before noon on Sunday, November 6.

Sultan Kudarat police director Colonel Christopher Bermudez said the explosion ripped through the bus while it was on its way to a bus terminal in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat at around 11:30 am.

“The bus was about to reach the terminal when it happened. Our EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team (is) in the area,” said Bermudez.

He said investigators were still finding out what type of explosive went off, though the explosion was reportedly powerful enough to shred the leg of one of the victims.

Police have not yet identified a suspect in this bus bombing in Sultan Kudarat, a province in the Soccsksargen region, as of posting.

Previously, a bomb ripped through a bus owned by the Yellow Bus Line Incorporated past noon on May 26. That explosion occurred in Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City in South Cotabato, also in Soccsksargen.

The explosion was followed by another bomb attack near the Tacurong City Bus Terminal in Barangay Calean.

The Joint-Task Force Central blamed the May attacks on the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah.

Investigators said they noted that the latest bomb attack targeted a bus owned by the same company.

Authorities were caught offguard by Sunday’s bombing. “We have received no terror threats lately,” said Bermudez. – Rappler.com