4 injured in Sultan Kudarat bus explosion

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines – At least four people were hurt after an explosion ripped through a passenger bus here last night.

Initial reports said the bus plying the Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat route was to enter the municipal center here when the explosion occurred, causing panic among residents.

The blast also damaged another passenger bus trailing behind, officials said.

Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, Sultan Kudarat provincial police director, said the Husky Bus, loaded with holiday vacationers, was en route to General Santos City when the explosion occurred at 6 p.m. near the town’s rotunda.

Those injured were identified as Kevin Venus Dolfo, Hilmor Hapinat, Jonathan Delfin, and Rachel Catequista. Police said they were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Isulan Mayor Diosdado Pallasigue suspected that the explosion was deliberate. “We suspect it was an improvised explosive,” he said.

Pallasigue said the blast was so powerful that it destroyed the Husky bus.

Two of the injured passengers were from the Husky bus and the two others from the other passenger bus, also headed to General Santos City, he said.

No one has claimed responsibility but police believe extortion gangs were behind the blast.