Reports: At least 4 killed as explosion rocks Basilan eatery

(Updated 10:58 p.m.) At least four people were reported killed after an explosion inside a restaurant in Basilan province Saturday afternoon, according to a report on GMA News TV. The report quoted the Scene of the Crime Operatives as saying that six others were injured in the "powerful" blast. They are now in the hospital for medical attention and care, it added. In a separate report, news site Mindanao Examiner quoted police as saying the blast occurred in the kitchen of Mon’s Eatery in downtown Isabela City. The report said the explosion triggered a fire that razed the eatery. It quoted Basilan provincial police chief Senior Supt. Alexis Lineses as saying the blast may have come from a cooking gas cylinder in the kitchen. The wounded individuals included a solider and a policeman, Lineses said, adding that the authorities are still investigating the incident. Basilan faces constant threats from the Abu Sayyaf bandit group. The Abu Sayyaf has links to the al Qaeda terrorist network. Another story on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site said three were killed while 14 were wounded. It quoted Basilan prelate Martin Jumoad as saying the explosion took place at 5:45 p.m. A report on dzXL radio likewise cited initial information that "seven to 10" were injured. — JE, GMA News