MANILA, Philippines - Two almost simultaneous explosions struck Puerto Princesa City and popular resort-town El Nido in Palawan province Maundy Thursday, injuring at least three people, official sources confirmed.
A television report quoted Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo as saying the incident was meant as a threat.
Reports said the explosion in Puerto Princesa occured near a bus station in Barangay San Jose, about four kilometers away from the city proper. Two persons were hurt in the explosion.
The bomb was placed inside a sack of rice dumped near the bus station. The police now has in custody an elderly woman who owns the sack of rice where the bomb was placed.
Meanwhile, the explosion in El Nido occured near tourist cottages, said Arvin Acosta, municipal tourism officer. The bomb was placed inside a garbage bin right outside the tourist cottages.
A man working as a cook in one of the resort cottages was hurt.
The police are still looking into the motives behind the bombings.