Islamists blamed for Philippines grenade attack

Security officials said suspected Islamist guerrillas have hurled two grenades near a crowded town plaza where a beauty contest was being held in the southern Philippines, killing at least one person and wounding 32 others.

The attack happened late yesterday in the predominantly Christian town of Maasim, Sarangani province, about 600 miles south of Manila, police chief Abraham Madrid said.

He said two men hurled one grenade each: one at a group of men playing a card game at a table, the second at another group of men at a karaoke bar, near the Maasim town plaza, where a beauty contest was being held. At least one person was killed and 32 wounded.

Army Lt Col Edgardo de Leon blamed Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas for the attack.