DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao—An improvised explosive device (IED) ripped through a roadside here Monday, killing two men having an early morning coffee at the Bai Lanang Bakery and Coffee Shop and wounding eight others, police said.

The fatalities in the 6:15 a.m. blast at Barangay Kitango were identified as tobacco vendor Malempanak Nunokan, 65, and gasoline retailer Thong Mansor Radzak, 25.

Wounded were Hadji Mansor Haj Radzak, 80; Toto Mamansual, 45; Kenong Dumag, 30; Moren Musa, 42; shop owner Hadji Fatima Haj Kaka, 46, and her husband Ibno Abdulkadir, 55; Hadji Akas Guiamblang, 61; and Naima Omar, 13. Most of them were taken to hospitals in Cotabato City.

The blast site was some five meters away from the shop where the two killed were having coffee.

According to police investigators, the bomb was planted inside a halved drum used as garbage bin, tearing it apart.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Police said they were still investigating who could be behind the bomb attack.

An Army explosive and ordnance personnel said the device was similar to one that blasted a garbage dump on Saturday but caused no injuries.

Army troops deployed to secure the area said they had recovered a second explosive device.

MILF denies involvement

Eid Kabalu, spokesperson for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, denied MILF guerrillas were involved.

“Villagers saw soldiers arrive in the area at dawn and there was an explosion several hours later,” Kabalu told reporters by telephone.

IED at DA grounds

In Quezon City, police found a package containing a homemade bomb at the grounds of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Monday, a day after an IED caused minor damage at the Office of the Ombudsman but hurt no one.

The incidents are under investigation, but Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno Monday directed the Philippine National Police to secure the facilities, according to his spokesperson, Brian Yamsuan.

Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesperson, declined to speculate on those behind the two incidents. “Let’s first see through the signature of the improvised explosive devices,” he said.

Chief Supt. Elmo San Diego, Quezon City police director, said his men would conduct an inspection of public buildings in the area but downplayed the two incidents.

“At the Ombudsman, threats are pretty regular. Say, there are respondents who are not happy with the outcome of decisions. And there are also regular protesters at the DA as well,” he said.

No security threats

Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, Metro Manila police director, said there were no security threats to the capital. “We even do validations. But there was no truth to such claims.”

At Monday morning’s flag-raising ceremony, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez urged employees to carry on with their work.

“We are treating this as a serious threat and we are extending every form of cooperation possible with the police,” said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap. With reports from Julie M. Aurelio, Tarra Quismundo, Nina Catherine Calleja, Riza T. Olchondra and Edson C. Tandoc Jr.