DAVAO CITY – Bus operators in Mindanao vowed to continue plying their routes despite continuing threats from different extortion groups.
“We cannot just abandon our routes. When we got our franchise, we vowed to service our routes,” Maryland Sy, president of the Southern Mindanao Bus Op-erators Association, told The STAR.
Sy said the bus firms have to continue their operations despite the recent bombings of units of the Weena and YBL bus companies in North Cotabato, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato.
The bombing attacks on the Weena and YBL buses were reported to be the handiwork of the Al-Khobar extortion group.
Other bus operators earlier admitted that other extortion groups had also demanded money from them.
“It is true we are alarmed by what is happening, but we have to continue plying our routes because of public service. We have to serve the riding public,” Sy said.
Besides, Sy said it is not easy to get a new franchise.