[Reuters] At least 33 people were hurt after two bombs exploded during an amateur boxing match in a central Philippine town, government and police officials said on Thursday. The attack took place in Hilongos town in Leyte province, about 380 miles southeast of Manila, late on Wednesday, the second on a public place in less than a week.The explosions took place when people were watching a boxing match that was part of an annual Roman Catholic holiday festival. Police recovered an 81-mm mortar cartridge from outside a mall in Leyte province. The homemade explosive devices were detonated remotely by a mobile phone during the fight.
Police not identified the attackers, and no group has yet claimed responsibility. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said a probe has been launched into the attack.
There are conflicting reports on the number of wounded. It is thought to include at least ten children aged between seven and 15 years. Hilongos Mayor Alberto Villahermosa said, "There were two blasts ... Luckily, the second blast wasn't perfect... The bomb expert said the detonating cord wasn't long enough. It wasn't made properly. The explosion wasn't very strong."
The twin blasts follow a grenade attack on Christmas Eve that injured 16 people outside a Catholic church on Mindanao. However, there is no indication that both the attacks are linked, police said.
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A bomb went off on a highway on the southern island of Mindanao barely an hour later, wounding six people, the military said.
“A lamppost was catapulted from the impact of the explosion,” said Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Delos Reyes.