Thursday, December 18, 2008

2 killed in twin bombings in southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 18, 2008) – At least two people were killed in twin bombings Thursday in Iligan City in the southern Philippines, the military said.

The military said at least six people were also wounded in the bomb attacks, but the local Red Cross said as many as 38 people were either injured or hurt in the blasts, including about two dozen who were rushed to hospitals.

The first bomb exploded at around 1.25 p.m. inside the Unicity Commercial Center in Iligan City and this was followed by another blast 20 minutes later at the Jerry Supermart in downtown Iligan City, said Army Lt. Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

She said two people were killed and four others wounded in the bombing at the Jerry’s Supermart and two more injured in the attack at the Unicity Commercial Center.

“The improvised explosives were left at the baggage counters of both Unicity and Jerry’s Supermart,” Cacho told reporters.

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade, has sent bomb-sniffing dogs and explosives experts to help police in the investigations. “We have sent K9 units and bomb experts in the area to help in the investigations,” he said.

No group or individuals claimed responsibility for the bombings, she said, but previous attacks in the city had been blamed to Moro rebels and local militants trained by Jemaah Islamiya.

Last month, at least three people were also wounded in the bombings of two budget hotels - the Traveler's Inn and the Caprice Lodge - in Iligan City. (Mindanao Examiner)

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