Bomb explodes during defusing attempt, leaving 21 injured

KIDAPAWAN, Philippines -- A bomb exploded Tuesday in the southern Philippines as a police disposal expert tried to defuse it, injuring at least 21 people and starting a fire in a three-story commercial building, officials said.

The blast occurred in the city of Kidapawan, where a bomb killed seven people and injured 24 others at a bus station in October. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Police, acting on an anonymous tip that three men on a motorcycle had left a suspicious package, found the bomb in front of a building that houses Avon cosmetics, Ayala Life insurance, LBC Cargo, Smart Communications and the Department of Agrarian Reform. It went off as police Sgt. Herminio Belata attempted to defuse it.

The blast ignited about a gallon of gasoline in a plastic bag next to the bomb and shattered windows and damaged parked cars and motorcycles.

Two fire trucks worked to control the blaze as ambulances took the injured -- including Belata, who lost a hand, and two other police officers -- to a nearby hospital.

"It was a powerful blast," police chief Casimiro Medes said, describing the bomb as an 81 mm mortar attached to a timer. "We don't know yet who did this."

Kidapawan Mayor Luis Malaluan said 19 people remained in three hospitals late Tuesday.

Kidapawan, in the North Cotabato province, lies 570 miles south of Manila. Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and communist rebels have a presence in the province.