Two explosions rocked a church and a bank in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga early Sunday morning, without causing any casualty, reported the local television network ABS-CBN News.
The first explosion occurred at the right wing of the Metropolitan Cathedral Conception early Sunday morning. The blast damaged two parked vehicles and shattered the glass windows of the church, said the report.
The report quoted police as saying that a man on board a motorcycle was seen leaving a bag near the staircase of the church. The bag exploded while the policeman was about to approach the bag.
Initial reports of bomb disposal experts showed that the improvised explosive device was like those used as mortars.
The second explosion occurred at a bank minutes after the blast in the church.
The United States and Australia have recently issued travel advisory against going to Zamboanga City, 800 kilometers south of Manila, because of what they called "high risk of terrorism threat".
But the city's mayor, Celso Lobregat, refused to connect the incident with recent travel advisories.
The local government hopes that the incident will not affect the two national events-- the Private Schools Athletic Association and the national pharmacists' convention--being hosted by the city.
Zamboanga City faces the Basilan island and the Sulu island, which are considered stronghold of Muslim militants confronting government forces backed by the United States military.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article