Twin blasts, allegedly caused by improvised explosive devices, rocked two malls in a southern Philippine city Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Lt. Esteffanni Cacho, spokesman for the military's West Mindanao Command, told Xinhua that at least two people were killed while six people were wounded in the explosion that occurred minutes in between in Iligan city of Lanao del Norte province.
Cacho said the casualties have been sent to the city hospital but their identities are not immediately clear.
He said the explosives were hidden at the baggage counters at the entrance of the two malls on a same street.
Superintendent Dimacuta Sanggacala, spokesman of Lanao del Norte police, earlier told local media that five people were killed while six others were injured in the blasts.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
Iligan is part of the conflict-torn Mindanao region where Muslim insurgents and rebels have clashed with the government forces for decades. Explosions and kidnappings have become a part of life in the resources-rich Mindanao.
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2008)
