At least six people were killed and more than 40 were wounded in two separate bomb blasts in the southern Philippines today, officials said, pointing to the possible involvement of Muslim militants.
Federico Dulay, police chief of North Cotabato province, said a homemade bomb, fashioned from a mortar round, killed 12 people and injured dozens when it exploded at around 8pm local time during a festival in Makilala town.
"We are not ruling out anything, including a terrorist attack," he told reporters.
But Emmanuel Pinol, governor of the province, said six people were killed and 26 wounded when the bomb exploded in a bar in the town. He warned that a third explosion was likely.
"These attacks usually come in batches of three incidents," he told local radio.
Earlier today, a powerful blast ripped through a public market in Tacurong city, around 50 km (30 miles) west of Makilala, wounding four people.
Local army commanders said both attacks could have been the handiwork of Muslim militants with links to Jemaah Islamiah (JI), a Southeast Asian militant group that seeks an Islamic superstate in parts of southeast Asia and Australia.
Colonel Ruperto Pabustan, army brigade commander in North Cotabato province, said the bombing in Makilala was "a signature JI attack".