Bombing claims three lives on Philippine island

SUSPECTED Abu Sayyaf militants detonated a bomb near a school on a southern Philippine island yesterday, killing at least three people and wounding nine others, officials said.

The bomb went off shortly after a van of police special forces passed by, hitting pedestrians and motorists during rush hour on Jolo island in the predominantly Muslim province of Sulu.

Police increased security two days ago after receiving intelligence of a possible Abu Sayyaf attack, Jolo town mayor Hussin Amin said.

The explosion killed three men and wounded at least nine others. The blast dug a crater on the concrete road and damaged the metal roof of a nearby school, Mr Amin said.

"Whoever did this - and definitely they're from the Abu Sayyaf - are animals," Mr Amin said from impoverished Jolo, about 610 miles (980 kilometres) south of Manila.

"We've already brought over some visitors and investors and now we have this."