1 killed in Zamboanga Sur blast

MANILA, Philippines–A man was killed in an explosion on a national highway in Zamboanga del Sur Tuesday evening, police said.

Police Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Region IX police spokesman, said the body of the still unidentified victim was found near the explosion site along the National Highway in Barangay (village) Tapodoc in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur past midnight Wednesday, a few hours after the explosion occurred at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Huesca said the victim, whose head was missing, was found in a rice field some 15 meters from the explosion site.

Police said the victim sustained wounds in different parts of the body.

Authorities said an unexploded 60mm mortar shell was also found near the bomb that went off.

“However, responding teams were able to [detonate] the second bomb,” he said

Huesca said authorities were conducting further investigation to determine the victim’s identity, as well as the motive behind the attack.