A deadly blast ripped through a crowded bus in a southern region of the Philippines killing seven people and injuring nine others, Sky News TV said on Thursday.
The bus was carrying over 50 passengers when it blew up in the city of Matalam, infamous for its Muslim criminal gangs involved in kidnapping and extortion.
"The bus company has long been receiving extortion letters from armed groups operating in the region," military spokesman Lt.Col. Randolph Cabangbang told Sky News.
None of the groups have claimed responsibility for the blast yet.
The blast was so powerful that two of the victims were decapitated, Police Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses told TV channel.
MOSCOW, October 21 (RIA Novosti)
