TACURONG CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 15, 2014) – Security forces in the southern Philippines have recovered a homemade bomb on Tuesday, but it out to be a dud after soldiers said it contained no explosive charge.
The bomb, assembled from a 60mm mortar attached to an old mobile phone and placed in a cardboard box, was left inside a bus in Tacurong City when discovered by two passengers. The wires were still protruding from the box when the bus conductor picked it up and threw it on a vacant lot before calling the authorities.
Members of the police and army explosives ordnance units carefully inspected the bomb and declared it unarmed because it has no explosive charge.
It was not immediately how the bomb managed to pass through the security of the bus, owned by Rural Transit Mindanao. It was unknown whether pranksters were behind it or if it was a warning by rebel groups or extortionists to the bus firm which has been targeted in previous bombings in the restive region.
Police said the discovery of the bomb only showed the active participation of the public against terror threats. (Rose Muneza and Deanna Diaz)
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