1 dead, 10 hurt in Zambo blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A woman was killed and 10 others, mostly female attendants, were wounded when an improvised bomb exploded in a karaoke and massage parlor here Thursday night.

Geraldine Miguel, 21, the cashier of Manly Massage and Videoke Bar along San Jose Road, died at the scene, said Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, city police director.

Marina Anamog, 36; Elizabeth Alarcon, 38; Stephanie Marpel 32; Cheska Mendoza, 24; Teresita delos Santos, 53; Karen Alvarez, 29; Nora Amancion, 36; Nilo Gonzales; Alfredo Erojo, 55; and Nestor Alaban were brought to the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

The explosion ripped the ceiling of the two-story building and damaged an adjacent stall.

Superintendent Felix Martinez, chief of police Criminal Investigation Detection Management (CIDM), said witnesses saw a man leave a bag on one of the tables before the explosion.

Martinez said they are investigating if the explosion was related to the bomb blast at a nearby massage parlor and videoke bar last year.

Zamboanga City police spokesman Alex Mabalot said it was not immediately clear if extremist groups were behind the explosion.

“Our city is under constant threat from terrorist and criminal groups,” Mabalot said.