DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Authorities are eyeing extortion as a possible motive in the bombing of a passenger van that wounded a man near a mall here on Wednesday.
Authorities yesterday formed a task group to investigate the incident.
Southern Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario said the improvised explosive device went off after all the passengers had alighted at around 9:45 a.m.
Police said fare collector Tata Besanas was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for treatment of shrapnel wounds in the head and right shoulder.
“It was clear that the explosion was meant for the owner of the vehicle,” Rosario added.
Investigators said Besanas returned to the vehicle to check a bag he thought had been left behind by a passenger.
The van, with 10 passengers on board, came from Pikit, North Cotabato.