LINGAYEN–As the police carries out its manhunt for the armed men who attacked the Victory Liner bus terminal here, security in the company’s other stations around the province is being beefed up.

The police, working in coordination with the company’s private security, fielded personnel in the four other stations around Pangasinan, including one in Dagupan.

Police Regional Director Chief Supt. LuizoTicman said they are looking at extortion activities by either the New People’s Army, a crime syndicate, or a labor dispute as possible motives.

Ticman, who described the attack as the worst in the region since he assumed his post a couple of months, told newsmen that Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) retrieved empty shells of Cal. 45 and .99 mm. pistol at the scene. The police also suspect the attackers were armed with assault rifles but so far no evidence has been recovered to confirm this.

After disarming the security guard at the Lingayen station, other terminal employees were herded and locked in a comfort room, then the armed men poured paint thinner on the five buses, including a brand new unit, before setting these on fire.

The whole terminal was also razed to the ground.

The firefight with policemen ensued just outside the bus terminal on Avenida Rizal when the officers, who were conducting a routine patrol aboard their mobile unit, stopped to check on the commotion.

Ticman said based on the report he received from Police Provincial Director Percival Barba, the policemen were fired upon first. — LM

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