Ten people were killed, nine of whom on the spot, and 42 others were wounded when a bomb exploded inside a bus traveling along the highway in Maramag, Bukidnon, Tuesday.

In a spot report, Police Inspector Jiselle Lou Longakit, spokesperson of Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bukidnon said a violent explosion came from Rural Transit Mindanao Incorporated (RTMI) bus number 2640.

She said the bomb went off in the middle left portion of the bus at around 5:40 p.m. just as the bus left after picking up some travellers and student commuters at a bus stop near Central Mindanao University (CMU) main gate.

Longakit identified the nine of ten dead passengers as:

Kim Valiente, 17 years old, Malaybalay City
Anita Santillan, 54 years old, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon
Catherine Villahermosa
Johnrey Valdesco
John Bernard Cuhanap
Jonathan Balida
Marielle Achacoso, 17 years old, Kalasungay, Malaybalay City
Niezel Dee Gonzaga, 22 years old, Hagkol, Valencia City
Michael Buctos, Purok 5, South Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon

She said the 10th casualty, a female, has yet to be identified.

* photo of the CMU students who were among the casualties (photo from Vanillie Araneta Mata)

Investigation disclosed that the said RTMI bus departed Banisilan in North Cotabato at about 2:15 p.m. passing by Wao in Lanao del Sur before it headed towards Maramag. Its final destination would have been Cagayan de Oro City.

Members of the Philippine National Police’s Explosive Ordnance Division and Crime Laboratory investigators recovered in a crime scene some small particles of alleged mortar with cellphone used as a triggering device. Police identified those who were wounded as:

Remedios Abregana, 55, Pangantucan, Bukidnon
Eden Protacio, 36, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon
Juvy Generalao, 18, Pangantucan, Bukidnon
Jonathan Cantomayor, 22, P-1 Cabulahan,Cabanglasan, Bukidnon
Rodmar Camarista, 12, Buffallo, CMU, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon
Mike Earl Otara, 16, P-17, Hagkol, Valencia City
Junrey Bagongon, 24, P-15, CMU Maramag, Bukidnon
John Manuel Bogayong, 15,P-3 Bangcud, Malaybalay City
Karla Jane Yadao, 15, Lumbo, Valencia City
Violeta Bustamante, 38, CMU Maramag
Jesreel Arango, 38, Malaybalay City
Marites Camarista, 33, CMU Maramag, Bukidnon
Lovely Rose Basalo,18, Bantuanon, Lantapan, Bukidnon
Willy Ligan, 20, Aglayan, Malaybalay City
Jennyy Lucero, 50, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City
Bernardita Cuay, 52, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City
Jolina Molina, 16, CMU Maramag, Bukidnon
Mary Jean Roque, 23 , Dagumbaan, Maramag, Bukidnon
Darren May Reyes, 5, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City
Nenita Labininay, 50, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City
Nikko Breones,
Cristel Dagaba, 22, Pangantucan, Bukidnon
Zaldy Pindon,
Zia Zaren Abejo
Shenalyn Corage,22, Central Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon
Elliel Curan
MarlonPantolasa,58, Busco, Quezon, Bukidnon
Maricel Lazar
Flodie Bagasina
Nikka Esclares,19, P-5, Zubiri Counpond, Casisang, Malaybalay City
Jonan Ramos, 38, Bagontaas, Valencia City
Ismael Macatanto
Erma Jubajib, 38, P-10 Batangan, Valencia City
Ralph Lyndon Quilla
Gabriel Banaag,31, P-4 Valencia City
Solisa Moleta
Jerson Galoroso,26, Lantapan, Bukidnon
Omar Hassan Aldequer Papuro, 30, Brgy 7, Malaybalay City
Yves Rae Loyola, 24, P-11, Valencia City
Raul Pugoso,46,P-3 Tagiubo, Butuan City
Luz Ontal Lagulay 44, Buffalo,CMU, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon
Zyndy Magayano, 17, Mailag, Valencia City.
The explosion is the second bombing inside RTMI bus while cruising along the highway near Central Mindanao University in Maramag town.

Last November 6, four people were injured when a bomb, concealed in a plastic container, went off inside a Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. (RTMI) plying Tacurong City Sultan Kudarat-Cagayan de Oro route. (PR from PIA Bukidnon)

Share on Facebook