Blast hits Cotabato market

DAVAO CITY – An improvised explosive device exploded yesterday afternoon in a public market Mlang, North Cotabato, injuring what authorities suspect was the courier himself.

Maj. Armando Rico, spokesman of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, said the bomb prematurely exploded, slightly injuring the left hand of a certain Norodin Alilaya.

Police took Alilaya into custody for further investigation.

The explosion in Mlang came a few hours before a powerful bomb was found in the capital city of Kidapawan. – Edith Regalado, Jaime Laude