3 people dead, 4 others hurt in Cotabato bus torching incident

Three people were killed, and four others hurt after unidentified attackers torched a service bus in M'lang, Cotabato.

"Unang Balita" reported Friday that the bus was already engulfed by fire when rescuers arrived at the scene.

An initial police investigation showed that unidentified attackers shot the driver of the bus on the way from Tacurong City  to Kipapawan City.

After shooting the driver, the attackers splashed the vehicle with gasoline and set it on fire. 

Quickly engulfing the bus, the fire sent passengers scrambling for the exit, but three people were trapped to their deaths, unable to escape.

Also, the report said four passengers sustaining second-degree burns were rushed to the hospital.

Further investigation showed that the bus was used to transport frontliners and authorized person outside residence (APOR).

An investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and to identify the people behind the attack.

Meanwhile, the Koronadal City-based bus owner has not issued any statement yet about the incident, the report added.  —LBG, GMA News