|
Sunday, July 22, 2007
4 killed, 2 wounded in accidental dynamite blast
ZAMBOANGA -- Dynamite used for illegal fishing exploded in a house on restive Jolo island in the southern Philippines on Saturday, killing at least four people and wounding two others, officials said.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
View here the list of local winners
The blast ripped through a house that was allegedly being used to store the explosives, killing four people inside and wounding two others, said Army Brigadier General Ruperto Pabustan, commander of an anti-terrorist task force on Jolo.
"Initial reports said the blast inside the house was apparently accidental after dynamite suddenly exploded," he added.
Pabustan said the explosives were likely for illegal fishing that is rampant in the area.
Manila radio dzMM quoted Jolo Police Chief Ahirun Ajirim as ruling out terrorism.
Philippine troops, supported by US training and intelligence, have been scouring the Jolo mountain jungles for Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah militants hiding on the island, 950 kilometers (590 miles) south of Manila.
The militants include Indonesian bomb experts Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who are believed to have fled to Jolo in 2003 to escape a massive Indonesian manhunt after they were implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.
Washington has offered millions of dollars (euros) in rewards for their capture. (AP)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (July 22, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Palace orders offensive v. MILF