Reward up for arrest of Zambo bus bombers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The city government yesterday offered P200,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the suspects in the bus bombing that killed a student and wounded 33 others in this city on Friday.

Authorities are looking into terrorism and extortion as motives for the attack. 

Chief Superintendent Miguel Antonio, Police Regional Office 9 director, said the management of D’ Biel Bus company received threats following a similar incident that hit Lamitan City in Basilan last week. 

Antonio ordered a joint police intelligence unit to help in the investigation and identify suspects.

A security official believes terrorism was the motive for the attack, noting it was meant to harm a large number of civilians.

“Terrorist attack always aim to harm a large number of civilians in order to sow fear and get world attention,” the official, who refused to be named, said. 

Investigation showed the type of bomb used in the attack could be similar to the one used in the bombing of a massage parlor and videoke bar in November last year.

Chief Inspector Rhean Loyd Bato, who heads the city police bomb squad, said they have not recovered any shrapnel such as ball bearings and nails, which were normally used by terrorists. 

He said all recovered pieces of evidence were turned over to the police crime laboratory to determine the type of explosives used.

The lone fatality was identified as Fatima Alifara Imbraida, 14, of Sibuco town, Zamboanga del Norte.

Police said the victim was wearing a college uniform.

City health officers said three of the wounded suffered serious injuries.

Police were reviewing footage taken by a closed-circuit television camera installed in the area.

The explosion ripped off the roof, windshields and tore through the interior of the bus.