1 dead, 15 hurt in Zamboanga blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A suspected bomber was killed while 15 others, including Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, were wounded in an explosion outside the arrival area of the Zamboanga City International Airport last night.

The bomb exploded at around 6:20 p.m., minutes after the Philippine Airlines flight from Manila arrived at the airport.

Tan and the other victims were passengers of the aircraft.

Investigation indicated that the bomb could have prematurely exploded.

“It looks like he (suspected bomber) was the lone fatality,” said Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.

He said the lone fatality was almost obliterated, leaving only his upper torso and head parts intact after the powerful explosion.

Lobregat said they could not yet determine the identity of the man until the police authorities have completed a thorough investigation.

He also confirmed that Tan was wounded after he talked with the Sulu governor.

“He (Tan) had a slight wound on the rib,” Lobregat said.

Col. Santiago Baluyot, Task Force Zamboanga commander, said they had not received any bomb threat but they have beefed up security following the airport attack.