One Hurt as Improvised Explosive Device Explodes Inside Passenger Van

Davao City (PNA) — The vehicle helper of a passenger van arriving from North Cotabato was seriously injured while the driver was declared safe after an improvised explosive device exploded inside the UV Express outside the terminal of SM Davao along Ecoland West on Wednesday morning.

The victim was identified as alias Tatat Besanes, who was hit in the head and back of this body. Besanes was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

The van driver, 50-year-old Herman Daag was unhurt but he was under observation by the Central 911 medical team after his blood pressure shoot up.

Davao City Police Office report said the UV Express passenger van left at 5am Wednesday from Pikit, North Cotabato province and arrived in Davao City at past 9am. On the way to the SM Van Terminal to drop off remaining passengers, one male passenger disembarked infront of SM Davao Van Terminal and two inside the terminal. The driver and his helper then drove on the way to Time Beach area but when it passed through the gate of Ecoland 4000 condominium along Eco West drive the right back portion of the van exploded.

Besanes was still able to drive the van some 100 meters away from the Ecoland 4000 gate.

At least two cars parked along the Eco West drive were damaged by IED splinters with broken side mirrors, holes on the passenger side and flatten tires.

While Ronald Mendrez, the owner of the damaged four-door sedan, was removing the front tire of the car, a certain part of the 60MM mortar was found under the car. The Scene of the Crime (SOCO) team took the material and examined the IED part.

The explosion came on the heels of the reported threat from local armed groups identifying themselves with the ISIS. It may be recalled that after the Paris simultaneous attack, a local armed group in Mindanao threatened to copy the same tactic and warned to target major cities in Mindanao.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Vicente Danao however said threats have always been present that is why the city has been on triple red alert after the Paris incident and the Philippines hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

While he did not discount the explosion was a handiwork of local armed group, Danao said he is just waiting for the post blast investigation report to determine the type of IED and the possible motive of the crime. Danao said they are initially looking at different motives.

First is the alleged grudge from competitors. UV Express is operated by Gregorio Guerrero from Davao City. Guerrero was accused by competitors as the one who reported to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte about the operation of illegal vans and illegal terminals. Guerrero reportedly operates five passenger vans while his son has 10 units.

The SM Van Terminal is one of the four terminals authorized by the city government to operate outside the city’s Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT). Duterte has earlier ordered arrest of drivers and impounding of colorum vans, as well as arrest of drivers of legal vans but soliciting passengers in illegal terminals.

Second, police is also digging deeper into the alleged extortion from a certain group in Pikit. It was learned that Pikit criminal group had extorted money from the operator. Police is eyeing the person who disembarked infront of the terminal. The person was picked up by another person on board a motorcycle.

Danao said they will carefully examine the incident to get the real motive and identities of suspects.

Security lapses

Acting Mayor Paolo Duterte, who arrived in the area, said the incident should warn the public to be vigilant at all times.

He said there could be lapses in security at the borders of Davao City and Davao del Sur considering that the suspects were still able to bring in explosives.

Paolo however assured the public that the city government is doing its best to secure the people of the city.

Paolo is also set to talk to the Commander of the Task Force Davao to sort out the situation and wants stricter security checks at the border checkpoints.

Danao said the security is very tight since Sunday but nothing is impenetrable.

According to him, terrorists were able to attack even Paris. “We gave fair warning to the public. We have maximized enforcement of all security measures,” he said.

While he assured the public that police remain in control of the situation, Danao said keeping the city safe and secure also needs the cooperation and vigilance of the public.

DCPO spokesperson Milgrace Driz already released the safety tips during bomb explosion incidents and other crimes.

Driz said the public must exercise vigilance especially at this times when there are threats from armed groups. (PNA) CTB/LCM/LDP