World | Philippines
2 killed, 4 wounded in bomb blast in Philippines
Suspected Muslim rebels detonated a bomb at a creek where Philippine troops were washing their laundry Wednesday, killing a soldier and a woman and wounding four others.
- Agencies
- Published: 08:47 June 3, 2009
Manila: Suspected Muslim rebels detonated a bomb at a creek where Philippine troops were washing their laundry Wednesday, killing a soldier and a woman and wounding four others.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce blamed Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas, who have been fighting for a Muslim homeland in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation's south for decades.
Rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu said it was not clear if guerrillas or residents angry at losing their homes in military operations were involved.
The blast hit near a creek in southern Maguindanao province as soldiers were washing their clothes not far from a military detachment, Ponce said.
A soldier and a female civilian were killed while four other troops were wounded.
The homemade bomb was remotely detonated using a cell phone, a hallmark of many previous bombings blamed on the rebels and their supporters, he said.
Malaysian-brokered peace talks between the government and the rebels broke down last August, when the Philippine Supreme Court stopped the signing of a preliminary deal that would have given minority Muslims control of a vast autonomous region.
A 2003 cease-fire agreement, which appears to be holding, is often shaken by charges and countercharges of violations by both sides.
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