One killed, seven hurt as governor survives blast

Manila: A governor whose wife and sister were among the 57 people massacred by political rivals in an election-related incident in the south in November 2009, survived a car bomb attack, which killed one and wounded seven others in his hometown yesterday, a radio report said.

"The bomb was meant for me. I condemn the attack that hurt innocent civilians," said Maguindnao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu after the incident, which occurred at Tacurong City's Koronadal Highway at four yesterday.

Maguindanao board member Russman Sinsuat was critically wounded when a parked car exploded while Mangudadatu's convoy was passing by.

All the wounded, including Datu Sinsuat Sr and Bebot Lauban Mabang, and the one killed whose name was not released, were aboard the ill-fated car that followed Mangudadatu's car. Blood and body parts were splattered on the road and inside the heavily damaged car, a police report said.