Tacurong bus bombing condemned


COTABATO CITY (PNA) – Local and Army officials condemned the bus bombing in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat that killed a passenger and injured 11 others on Sunday, Nov. 6.

In a statement on Monday, Nov. 7, Tacurong Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito described the attack as an "insult to the peace-loving people" of the city.

“This is an act of malicious intent inadvertently involved and affected our city and our people. This is an act that we will not cower from,” Lechonsito said of the bombing of a Yellow Bus Line (YBL) unit in Barangay New Isabela.

“To the family of the deceased, our deepest condolences. To the rest of the victims, our great regret,” he added.

The YBL unit with body No. 2588 from Kidapawan City carrying 29 passengers was on its way to the Tacurong City public terminal when the blast occurred.

Police identified the fatality as Gilbert Garbosa, 56, of Balindog, Kidapawan City.

Lechonsito, a physician, personally attended to the injured bus passengers at St. Louis Hospital, about 200 meters away from where the bus was bombed.

Mark, the fatality’s son, said his father appeared to be reluctant to travel on Sunday but pushed with his trip anyway.

“I hope bombings like this on public transport will stop as they are innocent people like my father. I hope those behind the bombing will stop this senseless thing,” Mark said.

Major Gen. Roy Galido, the Army 6th Infantry Division head, condemned the attack against civilians.

"This is a cowardly act of the terrorist group and peace spoilers that put the lives of innocent civilians in danger and doing so is a violation of both human rights and international humanitarian law,” he said in a statement.

Galido, concurrent head of Joint Task Force Central, said more police and Army checkpoints have been put up in Tacurong City and across the region.

He said Army intelligence units have been helping the Tacurong City police, ready to help them in law enforcement operations to neutralize the terrorists.

Local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended monetary aid to the family of the fatality and the survivors, including those with minor injuries.