Blast rips apart bus at terminal

Mindanao/Manila: Nine people were killed and scores injured in two separate bomb attacks yesterday in the southern Philippines, police reports said.

Nine people instantly died when a bomb hit a commercial bus that was about to leave its terminal in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, said Superintendent Anselmo Pinili, Davao del Sur provincial director.

"Several parts of the Weena Bus were totally destroyed when the explosion occurred. Body parts were seen on the ground. Many were wounded," said Pinili who quoted passengers as saying.

"Slippers, bags, packages littered the area, outside of the wrecked bus," said Pinili.

"The bomb was concealed in a backpack and was left by a man who ran away from the bus when it was about to leave the terminal," said Pinili.

The backpack was placed outside the bus. When it was opened by people, it exploded. "Apparently, the bomb was controlled by a cell phone from afar. The remote control was carried by the man who ran away," said Pinili.

Earlier, investigators said that the bomb exploded when the bus was on a major highway in Davao del Sur. The investigators changed their statement after the source of the bomb was found.

Also yesterday, 10 people were injured after a blast destroyed the People's Transit Corporation terminal in Matalam, North Cotabato. Initial investigations showed that the suspected bomber, a woman, left the bomb in the area. People's Transit is a sister company of Weena Bus. Its owner, Bernardo Valdevieso, said his company has been frequently hit by bomb attacks. Sources said that Valdevieso has refused to give in to extortion demands of armed men.

On May 18, a bomb blast hit the Weena Bus terminal in Cotabato City, killing three people and wounding 20 others. On Wednesday, authorities discovered an abandoned car carrying explosives in the province of South Cotabato. It was the first time that a "car bomb" was found.

Authorities said those who were responsible for the "car bomb" were planning to launch bomb attacks in the cities of Koronadal and General Santos City in South Cotabato and Takurong in Sultan Kudarat.

Investigators said the bomb attacks on buses could be the handiwork of Muslim separatist groups in the south or the communist New People's Army (NPA), which is also operating in several southern provinces.

Earlier, the United States issued a travel advisory saying that terrorist were planning a major bomb attack in Key areas in Mindanao.