August 7, 2007
A Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor, Willie Caritan, was killed in one of two explosions that ripped through a bus terminal in southern Koronadal City in the Philippines, on Friday, August 3. About 10 other people were wounded.
Caritan, 31, was killed instantly when the first device exploded at approximately 5:30 p.m. at Yellow Bus Line’s terminal. Seconds later, a second bomb exploded in another bus parked inside the terminal. No one was injured in the second blast because the terminal had already been evacuated.
Caritan and his wife, Cherry, were waiting for a bus bound for General Santos City when the first explosion hit the terminal’s baggage area. Cherry was uninjured, as she was in the restroom when the blast occurred.
Initial reports suggested that the attack was not specifically aimed at Caritan. Police suspect an extortion group linked to a militant organization in Southeast Asia carried out the attacks. The group also claimed responsibility for blasts known to have killed hundreds of civilians in Bali, Indonesia, including 88 Australians.
Source: BosNewsLife