The Philippine Online Chronicles

What is believed to be two home-made bombs exploded separately in a motel and a cock-fighting arena in Zamboanga Sunday morning, leaving eight people injured.

Agence France-Presse reported that the first explosion happened at the two-storey Red Palm inn.

Hotel guest and witness Roland Teofilo said, “It was a huge explosion. Six of my friends were injured and taken away for medical help after a wall fell on them after the explosion.”

While bomb experts checked the hotel’s ground floor, another explosion hit a cock-fighting arena, injuring two people.

Local police commander Superintendent Arthur Larudis said they suspect the explosions were caused by bombs but no group has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, the city’s acting police chief said the explosions occurred minutes apart in Barangay San Roque and Barangay Guiwan. He declined to provide further information while investigation is ongoing.

According to the article, bomb attacks supposedly ordered by the Abu Sayyaf have been recorded in the area for the past several years.

In 2008, two people were killed and dozens were wounded after a bomb went off outside a Philippine Air Force base. While in 2002, a soldier was killed in an explosion at the Fort Pilar Shrine.

Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels are said to operate in Basilan island, across the strait from Zamboanga. They have long been blamed for the attacks in the city.