World News: Bomb blast kills eight bus passengers in Philippines

A BOMB blasted a passenger bus in the southern Philippines, killing at least eight people and wounding ten others.

Police Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses said the bus was carrying more than 50 passengers when the blast shook the rear of the vehicle.

Police blamed the attack on an extortion gang with links to Muslim militants.

The southern Philippines is plagued by kidnappers, extortion gangs and Muslim insurgency.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said the bus company involved had been targeted for extortion in the past.

The wounded were taken to hospitals near Matalam township in North Cotabato province.

No-one claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Lt Col Cabangbang said authorities suspected the Al-Khobar extortion gang.

Al-Khobar is the most notorious of the region's extortion gangs, and authorities say it is made up of criminals and former Muslim rebels who have been blamed for attacking business establishments refusing to pay their ransom demands. The group is on a US list of terrorist organisations.

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