Extortion seen in blast

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Police are investigating the link between a car bombing here and the unabated operations of extortion gangs.

The investigation was prompted by the explosion that wrecked the vehicle, an Isuzu Crosswind, in front of a hardware store on Papaya Street around 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

The explosion wounded a tricycle driver.

Chief Supt. Alex Monteagudo, police chief of Central Mindanao, said the Crosswind was first reported to be on fire before the blast. The Crosswind is owned by hardware store owner Luis Tan.

Monteagudo said an incendiary bomb was believed to have been planted in the vehicle.

Although no one has claimed responsibility, Monteagudo said police are looking at the bombing’s link to extortion gangs operating here. Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao