Many hurt in Philippines bus bomb

A crudely-made bomb injured at least 27 people when it exploded aboard a bus in the southern Philippines.

The bomb went off while the bus was parked in a terminal in the town of Digos, on the island of Mindanao.

Early reports said the blast killed three people, but police and military officials later retracted this.

It is not known who planted the bomb, which was a homemade device. The remains of the bomb are being analysed as part of the police investigation.

"It was an IED [improvised explosive device] placed in a mineral water bottle, which also contained nails," Chief Superintendent Andres Caro, the local police chief, told the Philippines Inquirer.

"It was command-detonated," he added.

Of those injured in the blast, four are said to be in serious condition.

Gangs

Mindanao is home to several militant groups who have fought to establish an Islamic homeland.

Small-scale bombings are common in the region, which also hosts communist rebels and extortion gangs.

The bus hit by Thursday's blast was en route to Davao, the largest city on Mindanao.

Earlier, authorities there had warned that Muslim militants were plotting attacks, reported news agency AP.

But bus companies have also been targeted by criminal gangs seeking to extort money.