May 21, 2007, GMA News, Extortion eyed in Cotabato blast - PNP,

May 21, 2007, GMA News, Extortion eyed in Cotabato blast - PNP,

Police investigators in Cotabato City are looking into extortion as the motive behind the explosion last week in the city that claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy and the wounding of over 30 other people.

Senior Superintendent Paniares Adap, Cotabato City police chief, said the management of the Weena Bus Terminal showed to police at least three extortion letters it received since 2004 from a common "suspect" whom he refused to disclose so as not to jeopardize follow up operations.

"We already have a suspect. We are lying more on extortion because of the fact that the terminal management has received extortion letters," Adap said in a phone interview Monday.

The Weena Bus Terminal, located along Don Rufino Alonzo Street in downtown Cotabato City, was bombed at past 11 am last Friday, leaving one waiting passenger killed and several others wounded.

Adap said terminal manager Guinaid Adam showed to investigators copies of the extortion letters the company has received but which they did not heed to.

Adap said one of the letter demanded P1.5 million from the bus company.

"(The extorted money) will serve as protection money so they will be safe while traveling from Cotabato City," Adap said.

A day after the blast, or last Saturday, Adap said another letter arrived, stating that the terminal was blown off because of the company's refusal to give money.

Asked if the angle of terrorism is now being discounted, Adap said: "We cannot discount it yet, although there is no apparent participation yet of terrorists. We are still considering all angles."