Pagadian-bound bus fired at; 11 wounded

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected extortionists fired at a Pagadian City-bound passenger bus in Zamboanga Sibu-gay Saturday night, wounding at least 11 people, including the driver and conductor, authorities said.

The bus of the Rural Bus Transport with body number 912 was peppered with bullets at the vicinity of Pulang Lupa in Barangay Licomo, more than 70 kilometers from the boundary of Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, quoted passengers and witnesses as saying that two men, armed with an M-16 rifle and a shotgun, were behind the attack.

Investigation showed that the gunmen reportedly tried to flag down the bus, but the driver sped away to avoid the highway marauders, said Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, city police chief.

The attackers immediately fled to evade responding elements of the Charlie Company of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion together with members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary.

The victims were brought to a hospital in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

De Ocampo said investigators pointed to an extortion group as possibly behind the attack.

He said scene of the crime operatives were deployed to gather evidence to build up a case against armed groups operating in the area.

Dolorfino said the military has intensified checkpoints and patrol along the Zamboanga Peninsula highway to go after lawless elements, as the total gun ban is enforced.