| Extortion group now asking money from another bus firm |
| Written by Administrator | |
| Tuesday, 14 October 2008 | |
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The series of charges filed in court against the dreaded Al Khobar group did not deter its elements to pursue their illicit trade of extorting money from bus companies in Southern Mindanao .
Senior Supt. Cesario Darantinao, Davao del Sur PNP director admitted receiving information that another bus firm received calls from Al Khobar gang demanding protection money and threatened to bomb their units if they fail.
However, Darantinao refused to identify the bus company saying it would only create undue alarm and panic among commuters.
Alleged member of the Al Khobar extortion group has been calling the office of the bus firm just few days after the September 1 bombing of Metro Shuttle Bus number 209, the police said.
The recent explosion has killed 6 passengers and injured 34 others, while the July 24 Metro Shuttle bombing also killed a graduating student of Cor Jesu College in Digos City, and a 54 year old businesswoman from Padada, Davao del Sur. Scores were also wounded in the attack that includes a policeman.
The “Task Force Metro Shuttle 2” has filed multiple murders and multiple frustrated murders before the city prosecutor’s office in Digos City on September 9 against Al Khobar gang leader Salahuddin Hassan and 15 others in their involvement to the said terrorist activities in the city that cost the lives of innocent people.
Al Khobar gang is blamed for the series of attacks on bus companies whose management refused to heed on its demand for protection money.
Scores have been killed and injured during the spate of bombing incidents involving the Weena Bus Company, Yellow Bus Company, and Metro Shuttle Bus since 2006.
Darantinao said preventive security measures are strictly imposed inside and outside the premises of Digos Satellite Terminal in Barangay Aplaya.
Elements of the 39th Infantry Battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza are also beefing up the police forces inside the terminal.
Chief Inspector Anthony Padua, Digos City police director urged the management of bus firms to follow what was agreed in the past that their drivers should not pickup passengers in between the terminal to avoid recurrence of the attack.
Initial investigation came out that the woman suspected of placing the deadly bomb where police lately identified as Junaira Mimbida boarded Metro Shuttle buses on July and September 1 boarded the passenger bus outside the terminal. |