FP, PNP monitoring Bukidnon bus bombing

DAVAO CITY, Dec 10 (PIA) Police and military authorities in Davao Region have maintained the red alert status to ensure public safety following the blast that occurred inside a bus in Maramag, Bukidnon leaving eleven people dead and 22 others wounded.


 Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao, director of the Davao City Police Office said   police visibility particularly in public places is enhanced.


 “We urge the residents to be vigilant,” he said.


 Danao said they are also coordinating with bus operators to review ways of strengthening security measures inside the buses.


 Colonel Macairog Alberto, commander of the Task Force Davao said random checkpoints are also established to monitor the movements of lawless elements.


 He said orientation on the manner to identify an improvised explosive device and its concealment is also conducted at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal to make commuters more aware on the wares used by terror groups.


 Brig. General Alexander Balutan, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command said authorities in Central Mindanao are now pursuing alias Garnet Bentang, a sub-commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to answer for the latest bus explosion.


 He said multiple murder charges are also prepared against the suspect and his cohorts.


Balutan said new graduates of the BIFF could have perpetrated the crime using a concealed 81-mm mortar shell that was command detonated.


“The suspects indiscriminate hit everyone using a cellular phone,” he said.


Superintendent Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 11 said the red alert status is also observed in all police units in Davao Region.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)