Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. lauded the police for the timely arrest of the suspects, which he attributed to the vigilance of civilian residents who tipped off the police.
Chief Inspector Ruel Palapar, who led the arresting team, identified the suspects as cousins Mark, Charito and Allan Panggilawan and a certain Yustinos Barahama.
Palapar said an informant relayed to them information that a courier left Maguindanao province yesterday bringing along with him the improvised bomb.
The informant reportedly told the police that the courier was either bound for General Santos or Tacurong City.
This prompted the police to place all terminals in both cities under heavy surveillance.
Intelligence operatives spotted the suspects shortly before noon outside the Bulaong public terminal here.
The four suspects were seen heading towards a roadside eatery fronting the temporary bus terminal.
The police operatives led by Palapar immediately cordoned the area and swooped down on the suspects who were taking a rest inside the eatery. – John Paul Jubelag