Philippine blast leaves 12 dead, 24 wounded in market

Davao, Sep 2 (AP) An explosion killed 12 people andwounded at least 24 at a night market in President RodrigoDuterte’s hometown in the southern Philippines, a region undera heightened security alert because of a military offensiveagainst Abu Sayyaf militants, officials said. Regional military commander Lt Gen Rey Leonardo Guerrerosaid it was not immediately clear what caused the explosion ata massage section of the market, which was cordoned off bypolice bomb experts and investigators. Police Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan said witnessesgave contrasting accounts, with some saying that a cooking gastank exploded while others suggested it may have been somekind of an explosive. Police set up checkpoints in key roads leading to thecity, a regional gateway about 980 kilometers south of Manila. TV footage showed plastic chairs strewn about at thescene of the blast, where witnesses said the bodies of some ofthe dead lay scattered a few hours after the explosion.Ambulance vans drove to and from the area following the blast. Police forces in the capital Manila went on full alert atmidnight following the deadly blast. Duterte, who served as a longtime mayor of Davao beforeassuming the presidency in June, was in the region but has notissued any statement. His spokesman, Ernesto Abella, urged thepublic to be vigilant. "While no one has yet claimed responsibility it is bestthat the populace refrain from reckless speculation and avoidcrowded places," Abella said. "There is no cause for alarm, but it is wise to becautious." Philippine forces were on alert amid an ongoing militaryoffensive against Abu Sayyaf extremists in southern Suluprovince, which intensified last week after the militantsbeheaded a kidnapped young villager. The militants threatened to launch an unspecified attackafter the military said 30 of the gunmen were killed in theweeklong offensive. Some commanders of the Abu Sayyaf, which is blacklistedby the United States and the Philippines as a terroristorganization for deadly bombings, ransom kidnappings andbeheadings, have pledged allegiance to the Islamic Stategroup. The military, however, says there has been no evidence ofa direct collaboration and militant action may have been aimedat bolstering their image after years of combat setbacks. (AP)PRG