| Fifteen people were injured, two seriously, in a blast outside a college near the presidential palace in Manila on Tuesday, said Philippine police sources. The city's police chief said they were investigating whether a feud between college fraternities was behind the explosion, which occurred around 300 metres from the palace gates. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was not in the palace. "It looks like it's a rivalry among a group of students," said Geary Barias, adding that part of a hand grenade and an improvised explosive device were discovered at the La Consolacion College. The blast occurred at around 4:30 pm (0830 GMT) while classes were in session at the Catholic institution. Barias said a man in a red shirt and a brown baseball cap was seen running away from the explosion. Three students have been taken in for questioning. US-style fraternities are popular in colleges and universities in the Philippines and there have been several cases of students dying during violent initiation rites. |