Bomb blast near south Philippine cathedral kills 4

The bomb exploded outside the Immaculate Conception cathedral in Cotabato city as churchgoers were attending Mass. Two people were killed instantly in the attack and a third died on the way to a hospital, said regional military commander Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton.

The wounded included six soldiers and militiamen in an army van that passed by the cathedral when the device, fashioned from a mortar round, exploded, Cotabato city Mayor Muslimin Sema said. A military spokesman said investigators were trying to determine if the attackers targeted the van.

A militiaman with gaping head wounds died seven hours later in a hospital, the military said.

The improvised explosive was hidden near a row of food stalls selling roasted pig, Cayton said. A military spokesman said the bomb was set off remotely by mobile phone, and Sema said police arrested one man seen using a phone during the explosion. He was carrying three identification cards with different names, Sema said.

Cathedral guard Nestor Luna said shrapnel flew in all directions. Luna was wounded in the head, arm and feet.

"I wanted to help the wounded, but I felt dizzy and saw my white uniform soaked in blood. Somebody helped me walk away," Luna told The Associated Press by telephone from the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

"Whoever did this should know that they hit so many innocent civilians," he said.

Chief nurse Norma Reyes said at least seven of the wounded were in critical condition and needed surgery.

TV footage showed four wounded soldiers sitting dazed on the sidewalk and a fifth lying unconscious, face down on the seat of the shrapnel-damaged van.

Two bodies lay sprawled near the sidewalk while a stunned woman limped out of a food stall, blood dripping from her foot. Soldiers helped the wounded into ambulances with sirens wailing.

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