Iligan, Philippines - At least 44 people were reported killed yesterday when two homemade bombs ripped through a passenger bus being ferried between two islands in the southern Philippines. Fifty-six people are missing. A coast guard spokesman said the figure was based on a body count of the fatalities aboard the Super 5 bus which was being ferried by a barge from Kolambugan town, Lanao del Sur province to the city of Ozamis across the Paguil Bay. The explosions started a fire that gutted the bus, four other vehicles parked beside it, and the barge, he said.
An army commander said he suspected that rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were behind the attack. The charge was rejected by the MILF.
