2 hurt in Cotabato blast; police blame JI, ASG

Police blamed the Jema'ah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), both linked to the al-Qaeda terror network, for a blast in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines on Friday that injured two persons. Cotabato police spokesman Chief Inspector Samson Obatay said the blast occurred near the H&F Refreshment store at about 10:20 a.m.. "This is a work of terrorists like the JI and Abu Sayyaf militants. We have intercepted a report that they will carry out attacks in major cities in Mindanao, including our city," Obatay said. He said the improvised explosive device was based on a 60mm mortar round. Chief Superintendent German Doria, head of the Central Mindanao police, said the blast was caused by one of three mortar rounds planted along Macacua Street where the fast-food store is located. Bomb experts defused the two other mortar rounds. Authorities identified the victims as a Max Malang Uttoh, a village official in Sultan Sa Barongis, and insurance employee Fatima Diocolano. Uttoh was in critical condition at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center. Cotabato City police said initial reportrs showed that a man placed the explosive inside a carton box and left it in front of the store, which is near an old movie turned into a bingo outlet with refreshment stalls and recreation facilities. The explosion came as foreign governments expressed concern about the security threat at the 12th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to be held in Cebu. The summit, originally scheduled for December last year, will take place Jan. 10-15. Up to 16 heads of state are expected to attend the event. Armed Forces public information chief Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro, however, said the explosion took place near a Jollibee fast-food outlet. Last four people were hurt after in a bombing at the Kimsan Plaza mall in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Police also blamed that blast on the JI. The Kimsan Plaza bomb was reportedly planted by a woman who assembled a homemade device inside the mall's toilet. - GMANews.TV