SAN FABIAN-The usual quiet evenings in this town was disrupted by huge flames on Thursday night as two buses of Five Star Bus Company were set on fire at its terminal in barangay Tempra Guilig.

The suspects, both armed, introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army before they left.

However, in spite of the ‘identification’ left by the suspects, the police still strongly suspect that the incident may be related to a labor problem in the company.

The buses, one air-conditioned and the other ordinary, were estimated to be around P25 million.

Both were parked inside the terminal along with other company buses for the night.

SPO3 Fernando Abaco of the San Fabian police said the incident happened at 9:15 p.m. when only two persons were stationed inside the terminal, namely the security guard, identified as Juan Cinesan, 45, and the bus dispatcher, Reynaldo Jumaquio.

Set on fire by the suspects using high-octane gasoline were buses with plate number TVV-512 with body number 5112; and AWA 520 with body number 911. Both were burned completely.

Initial investigation showed that the suspects initially poured gasoline on bus no. 5112 and set fire on it, and then the fire spread to the other bus that was parked beside it.

A report said the buses had just been cleaned by one Reynaldo Renolo when they were set on fire by two men suspected to be passengers of a bus that arrived from Manila a few minutes earlier.

Members of the local police and the fire department later responded and helped put out the fire, preventing it from engulfing other buses parked inside the terminal.

Before running off, the perpetrators approached the security guard and told him they did it because the manager of the firm owes them something.

A check with some employees of Five Star bus showed that some employees were recently terminated or suspended for violating company policy.—LM

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