A suspected Muslim secessionist rebel and a civilian were killed Monday when a homemade bomb exploded in a southern Philippine town, a regional military spokesman said.
Major Randolph Cabangbang said 14 people were also wounded in the explosion that occurred at dawn at a busy market in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province, 960 kilometres south of Manila.
Cabangbang said the suspect was believed to be a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who was allegedly carrying the bomb. He died instantly.
One of the injured civilians died while being treated at hospital, he added.
"The bomb exploded prematurely or accidentally, that is our assessment," Cabangbang said.
Cabangbang ruled out the possibility of a suicide bombing.
"We have no suicide bombers here," he said. "The modus operandi actually was to leave the bomb and there will be a time delay before the explosion. In this case, the bomber himself was hit."
Cabangbang said the attack could have been aimed at scaring off Muslim civilians who are supporting the military in current offensives against MILF rebels.
"They (rebels) want to terrorize them because the people in the area are supportive of the military," he said.
The province of Maguindanao was the site of recent fierce clashes between government troops and MILF guerrillas, with both sides suffering casualties.
