Bus torched in North Cotabato town; 3 dead

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Tension remained high yesterday in Mlang town, where a bus was set on fire on Thursday, leaving three passengers dead and four others injured.

Mlang Mayor Russel Abonado offered a reward of P100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the culprits.

Col. Henry Villar, North Cotabato police director, identified the fatalities as Johnny Roy Ramil, 28; Hazel Galardo, 30, and Arnold Patron, 18.

Joseph Lubay, 35; Norhana Gumbao, 32; Jonah Jane Ramil, 28; Tessie Verdadero, 56; Diane Dancil, 28, and Abdulhaq Rabpani Delna, 25, were injured.

Three men reportedly poured gasoline on the bus when it pulled over in Barangay Bialong to pick up a ticket inspector.

There were reports that the attack could be in retaliation for the refusal of the management of Yellow Bus Line to give so-called protection money to a lawless group.

YBL buses ply the Davao-Cotabato-Tacurong-South Cotabato route.

Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana ordered the Eastern Mindanao Command to help the Soccksargen police identify the perpetrators.