Improvised bomb blast in Philippines: 3 hurt

Police say an improvised bomb rocked the perimeter fence of a passenger bus terminal in southern North Cotabato province, injuring three people.

Chief Supt. Gil Meneses says suspects, motives and the type of device used in Monday's explosion in Carmen township are still being determined.

The blast occurred as police and army troops were securing crowds attending the town's foundation day festivities, and as investigation continues on an Oct. 21 bus bombing in nearby Matalam township that killed 10 passengers.

Officials initially suspected an extortion gang with links to Muslim militants to be behind the October 21 blast. But Meneses says that's just one of the angles being pursued.
The southern Philippines is home to kidnappers, extortion gangs and a decades-old insurgency.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.