Initial reports from the Aleosan Municipal Police Station revealed that an unidentified type of explosive detonated at the rear portion of a Mindanao Star bus with body number 1551.
The victims were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.
The victims were identified as Rodolfo R. Castillo, 67-year-old; Masid Benjamin,25; Haron Solaiman, 24; Benjamin Solaiman, 5; Yushra Solaiman, 3; Lester Alkane Bautista, 17; and the 5-month old baby Haron Solaiman Jr.
Witnesses in a statement said that an unidentified suspect was carrying baggage and boarded the bus at Kabacan, Cotabato.
The suspect immediately disembarked leaving his baggage upon reaching Pikit, Cotabato.
PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos assured that they will continue to monitor the condition of the blast victims.
The PNP will get to the bottom of this. This bloody incident bears clear signs of a possible terror attack, Carlos said.
“We condemn violence in all forms,” he said.
Authorities are looking into an angle of extortion and terror attack as a result of a recent operation conducted by the Police Regional Office in Pikit, Cotabato.
Photo: PRO 12