Islamic Militants Eyed in Philippine Bombings

October 6, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AFP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071006/wl_asia_afp/philippinesattacksbomb

Philippines police said Saturday they believe the Jemaah Islamiyah militant network was behind a bomb attack in the south in which at least one child died.

Police chief Avelino Razon said Friday's attacks bore the "signature" of the Jemaah Islamiyah, which has links with local Muslim extremists such as the Abu Sayyaf.

An eight-year-old girl was killed when the two bombs exploded on a busy street in the southern city of Kidapawan Friday. More than 30 others, mostly students, were wounded in the blasts.

Police had said a second child had died of her injuries, but later said this was a mistake.

Military spokesman Julieto Ando said they were looking at the possibility that an outlawed local Muslim group, the al-Khobar, who had received explosives training from the JI, were behind the blasts.