2 bomb blasts claim lives of 5 soldiers & 4 civilians in Philippines

Twin explosions in the Philippines have killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens. Reports said the first bomb had been attached to a motorcycle.

Two bombs exploded in a southern Philippines town on Monday, military and police sources said. The blasts killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more.

The first bomb detonated at around noon local time along a main street in the town of Jolo in Sulu province, around 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) south of Manila.

At least five soldiers and four civilians were killed, regional military commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan said. Initial army reports said the source of the first blast was a homemade bomb on a parked motorcycle.

The explosion damaged a food and computer store as well as two army trucks, military spokesman Rex Payot and police said.

The second blast, carried out by a female suicide attacker, went off nearby shortly after the first explosion, as police blocked off the area. The bomber and a soldier were killed and several bystanders were injured. 

A third, unexploded bomb was reportedly found in a public market.Nearly 40 soldiers, police and civilians were injured in the blasts. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

Unstable region

Jolo, the main town on Jolo island, is a stonghold of Abu Sayyaf militants, a group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

The military is in the midst of a months-long offensive against the group, one of the most violent terrorist organizations in the Philippines. In past years, Abu Sayyaf was behind several bombings, kidnappings, and beheadings there. 

More recently, military offensives and surrendering have caused the armed group’s numbers to dwindle down to a few hundred in recent years. 

Just two weeks ago, key commander Abduljihad Susukan was turned over to Philippine authorities after seeking medical attention for an injury sustained last year.