5 killed, 10 hurt in bomb blast in Mindanao
text HADER GLANG

A BOMB exploded in a public market in Maguindanao Province, Central Mindanao Friday morning as a convoy carrying a provincial governor was passing by, killing five people and wounding 10 others, the military said.

Captain Jose Ritche Pabilonia, public information officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP') Southern Command, said the explosion at 7:30 a.m. went off in a busy public market of Shariff Aguak town.

Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, father of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, was unhurt, according to a report by Cotabato City-based radio station.

The father and son could not be reached for comment, but it was reported in the international news wires they condemned the attack and blamed "terrorists" for the attempt on their lives.
Authorities said Ampatuan, who was on the first vehicle of the convoy, could be the target of the bombing.

Pabilonia said an improvised explosive device placed in a parked multi-cab vehicle exploded while the convoy of Governor Ampatuan composed of five vehicles was passing towards Mamasapano town.

He said a Revo type van owned by Ed Mangansakan (one of the convoys) was passing near an abandoned multi-cab when a bomb suddenly exploded destroying the vehicle and killing its four passengers.

Another person onboard a single Honda Dream motorcycle that was also passing in the area at the time of explosion died. Recovered from the scene of incident were 81 mm mortar ammo and battery pack, according to Pabilonia.

Three of the five slain victims were identified as Edsrapil Mangansakan, owner of the Revo; Cajilo Datumanong, the one onboard single motorcycle; Datu Kams ampatuan, driver of Revo. Two of of the slain victims were relatives of the Maguindanao governor.

Two 3-year old kids identified as Admyra and Suhod and a certain Bai Nula, Baby and Anwar were among the ten injured victims, mostly passers-by. They were rushed to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital.

The military and police in Shariff Aguak are now on full alert after authorities received reports that another bomb might explode. They have yet to identify the group responsible for the bombing. (ZS)