Extortion gang eyed in Cotabato blast

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Intelligence officials have pointed to the Al-Khobar extortion gang to be behind the bombing near a business establishment in Pikit, North Cotabato Monday.

No one was killed or injured in the explosion, but the incident triggered panic among the residents.

The Pikit municipal police said Cecilia Filipinas received a letter from Al-Khobar demanding protection money 10 days before an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in front of her store.

Filipinas said the letter warned of a bomb attack if she would ignore the group’s demand.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Hao, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, said the IED used in the bombing was identical with those used in bombing buses and commercial establishments in North Cotabato.

The Al-Khobar, which is composed of rogue Moro rebels, has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.