Manila, , Jun. 1 (UPI) -- Police are investigating a bomb explosion that injured seven people outside a store in the southern Philippines Tuesday. The blast occurred in Pagadian city, some 770 kilometers (480 miles) south of Manila. Intelligence sources said they had been investigating an alleged bomb plot in Pagadian by the Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, RTHK reported.
But police chief Servando Hizon said he suspected a local criminal gang. The shop owner told police he had received a letter from an extortionist, threatening to bomb his store if he didn't pay protection money.
| The MILF is a criminal gang, robbery, kidnapping and extortion rackets are how they fund themselves. |
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