A bomb-rigged motorcycle exploded today near a convoy carrying the governor of a southern Philippine island where al-Qaida-linked rebels are active, wounding a mayor and at least three security escorts.

At least seven civilians, including four children, and an off-duty soldier were killed during a military operation against al-Qaida-linked militants on a southern Philippine island, officials said today.

An explosion inside a grocery shop killed at least eight people and wounded about a dozen others today on a violent southern island in the Philippines.