At least 16 hurt in Philippines bombing

At least 16 people were injured today in the southern Philippines when a bomb exploded as police tried to defuse it.

The incident occurred in Kidapawan city, where seven people were killed and 24 injured by a bomb at a bus station in October. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Acting on a tip that three men on a motorbike had left a suspicious package, police found the device in front of a building housing Avon cosmetics, Ayala Life insurance, LBC Cargo, Smart Communications and the Department of Agrarian Reform.

It went off as police sergeant Herminio Belata attempted to defuse it.

The blast ignited about a gallon of petrol in a plastic bag next to the bomb, starting a fire in the three storey building and shattering windows.

Two firetrucks fought to control the blaze as ambulances carried the injured - including Belata, who lost a hand, and two other police officers – to hospital.

“It was a powerful blast,” Police Chief Casimiro Medes said, describing the bomb as an 81mm mortar attached to a timer. “We don’t know yet who did this.”

Erlinda Narin, a security guard at a nearby office, said she told employees to rush out when the bomb was found but that police prevented people from leaving as they checked the bomb.

“Suddenly there was a loud explosion, shrapnel flew all around,” Narin said.

Kidapawan city in North Cotabato province is 570 miles south of Manila.

It is in the southwestern foothills of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak. It is a progressive city known for its hot springs and fruit farms.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and communist rebels have a presence in North Cotabato province.

A former candidate for mayor who allegedly masterminded the October 10 bombing and three other men were charged with murder in what was described as an extortion plot against a bus company.

It occurred during a spree of bombings in the south and in Manila that had the country on edge and led officials to beef up security at shopping malls and other public places.