Bomb at checkpoint in southern Philippines kills 1

A bomb hidden in a motorcycle taxi went off at a police checkpoint killing the driver and wounding a police officer. The driver of the motorcycle apparently was a 17 year old Christian villager. However, police stated that the bomb could've been place in the motorcycle without his knowledge.International Herald Tribune

MANILA, Philippines: A bomb hidden in a motorcycle taxi exploded at a checkpoint in the volatile southern Philippines, killing its driver and heightening a security alarm amid fears of Muslim rebel attacks, officials said Wednesday.

The homemade bomb, concealed inside a sack of charcoal, went off at a checkpoint in Sultan Kudarat province's Esperanza township late Tuesday as the vehicle was being inspected by a policeman, provincial police chief Superintendent Benhur Monggao said. The policeman also was wounded, he said.

Army officials speculated that the motorcycle taxi driver may have been a would-be bomber who was killed when his bomb exploded prematurely. But Monggao said investigators were still checking the background of the driver, a 17-year-old Christian villager, and could not reach any immediate conclusion.

He said it was possible the bomb was placed in the vehicle without the driver's knowledge.