Bomb explosion hits Cotabato City plaza

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A bomb went off at the Cotabato City plaza Saturday night, several hours before the public viewing there of the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, police said.

No one was hurt in the explosion but it triggered panic in the neighborhood and forced the cancellation of a band competition.

Police said the improvised bomb went off in a comfort room at the back of the stage at the city plaza at around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Despite the incident, thousands of residents trooped to the city plaza yesterday to watch the Pacquiao-Marquez match, as policemen and Marines secured the place.