A U.S. soldier inspects a commuter bus bombed Friday, 15 June 2007, in the southern Philippine city of Cotabato. Another bus bombing in the town of Bansalan in Davao del Sur province has killed at least 9 people and wounded seven more. Western embassies banned their citizens from traveling to the southern Philippines because of extreme threats of terrorism and kidnappings of foreigners. COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 16 Jun) – U.S. explosives experts are helping Filipino authorities investigate the spate of bombings that hit the southern region of Mindanao.
At least 9 people were killed and seven others injured in a bomb attack on a commuter bus in Bansalan town in Davao del Sur province on Friday night. Another bus was also bombed in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, but authorities reported no casualties.
An unidentified U.S. soldier was spotted inside the bombed bus in Cotabato City sifting through debris with local army and police bomb experts.
The American soldier did not speak to reporters, but a regional Filipino military spokesman said the U.S. forces were only helping local authorities investigate what type of bomb was used in the attack.
“They are only us assisting local military and police bomb experts in the investigations,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando told the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.
On Tuesday, police foiled a possible car bombing after a car, laden with explosives, was discovered abandoned near the municipal hall of Surallah in South Cotabato province.
U.S. forces are currently deployed in the southern Philippines as part of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, which is helping the Filipino military defeat terrorism.
American troops are also involved in many humanitarian missions in an effort to win the hearts and minds of the Muslims in the troubled region, where local security forces are battling members of the al-Qaeda-linked the militant Abu Sayyaf group and Jemaah Islamiya.
The United States last week delivered ten UH-1H helicopters to Manila as part of a commitment to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.
The refurbished helicopters, part of 20 aircrafts promised by President George Bush, will be used by the Philippine Air Force to supplement its modernization program and increase its capabilities to combat terrorism and provide humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.
The U.S. military provides training, advice, and security assistance, and shares intelligence information with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Just last week, both countries finished a weeklong joint amphibious training off the southern Sulu Archipelago.
The United States, Canada and Britain have issued travel warnings and strongly advised their citizens not to travel to the southern part of the Philippines because of threats of terrorism and kidnappings of foreigners. (Mark Navales)
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