MikeLigalig.com

By Ben O. Tesiorna and Carlo P. Mallo
Sun Star Davao

Davao City Police authorities say a bomb has exploded on a bus inside the terminal of Digos City in the province of Davao del Sur before noon Thursday, injuring 27 other passengers, four of whom are in critical condition.

Military spokesman Maj. Armand Rico says the explosion hit the bus parked at a terminal in Digos City Overland Terminal. It stopped over at the terminal on its way to Davao City from Bansalan, Davo del Sur.

Security has been tightened at the commercial centers and vital installations in Davao City, setting up police and military checkpoints in and around the city.

Police probers are looking into extortion as possible motive behind the incident, but did not rule out possibility that terrorists could have perpetrated it.

Chief Supt. Andres Caro, regional police chief, said before the explosion, a man who identified himself as a member of Al Khobar Gang, known for its extortion activities in Central Mindanao, called up the office of Metro Shuttle at Ecoland Terminal in Davao City, asking for money, but did not divulge the amount.