Suspected Islamic rebels set off a bomb at a mayor's home in the southern Philippines on Christmas Eve, killing at least thirteen people, including two town officials, and injuring 12 others, the military said.
Tuesday's explosion took place at a gathering in the home of Mayor Saudie Ampatuan in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, said army spokesman Major Julieto Ando.
Ampatuan died of injuries to his head and abdomen. A town councilor, the treasurer and a bodyguard were killed, Ando said, cited by AP.
Ando added that the military suspected the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, because "it is only the MILF that is capable of making powerful homemade bombs."
He further stated that army bomb experts were assisting police determine the type of explosives used.
In addition, Ando said the blast appears to be unrelated to the killing of Ampatuan's younger brother, his brother's wife and a friend during an altercation at a disco Saturday. The Ampatuans allegedly retaliated for that killing by ambushing two relatives of the suspects.
Ando said Ampatuan is a "nemesis" of the rebels who survived a rebel ambush along with his father, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, earlier this year. (Albawaba.com)
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