NPA Rebels Torch Down Passenger Bus in Albay

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – A Silver Star bus which originated from Bulan town Sorsogon and heading towards Manila was torched down by suspected NPA rebels In Barangay Cagbacong, Legaspi City last night (January 26) at around 07:30 pm.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the suspects posing as passengers, boarded the bus at a stopover terminal in Sorsogon City.

Upon reaching the area between Cumadcad and Sogoy villages in Castilla town, the armed men drew their pistols and introduced themselves as NPA rebels.

At the junction in Barangay Sogoy, Castilla town they commandeered the bus towards Barangay Cagbacong, an interior barangay of Legaspi City where three more rebels with long firearms were waiting.

The passengers were forcibly herded out of the bus before pouring gasoline and razing it to the ground.

The passengers fled the scene and made it back to the national hi-way where they reported the incident to the police in Barangay Cumadcad.

“Extortion is the primary motive in this burning incident. The people have denounced this atrocity wherein the NPA rebels have terrorized not just the business owners but also the innocent passengers,” said Col Felix Castro Jr., 903^rd Brigade Commander based in Sorsogon.

He added that coordination has been made with the PNP to track the rebels.