At least three dead in bomb blast in southern Philippines (Roundup)

May 8, 2007, 10:59 GMT

Cotabato City, Philippines - At least three people were killed and 30 wounded Tuesday when a homemade bomb exploded near the public market of a southern Philippine city, police said.

Police Inspector Benjamin delos Santos said the improvised explosive device was left in front of a restaurant with a popular billiard hall in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province, 975 kilometres south of Manila.

'We are still investigating the motive behind the attack and the group responsible for the bombing,' he said.

Police earlier reported that five people were killed, but delos Santos said the figure was revised after clearing up confusion shortly after the bombing.

The bombing occurred two weeks after the United States and Australia warned against a possible terrorist attack in the southern region of Mindanao.

Security has been stepped up in the Philippines ahead of mid-term elections on May 14 when Filipinos vote for 12 senators, more than 200 congressional representatives and about 17,000 local officials.

Close to 100 people have been killed in election-related violence amid intense political rivalry.

Authorities, however, have yet to determine if the Tacurong attack was related to the elections or the handiwork of Islamic militants who have targeted the city in the past.