Philippines blames rebels for fatal blast

A home-made bomb planted by suspected Muslim rebels exploded prematurely in a market in the southern Philippines today, killing a would-be attacker and wounding 15 civilians, officials said.

The bomb was hidden in a trash can in front of a coffee shop in Datu Saudi Ampatuan township in Maguindanao province, said military spokesman Maj. Randolph Cabangbang.