Manila blast injures 34

MANILA, Philippines -- At least 34 people have been wounded after an explosion ripped through a crowded shopping mall in a Manila suburb.

Police said the Sunday blast in Kalookan city came from a grenade, and was the work of a robbery gang.

"All our men are in the field investigating. We have not received any detailed reports from them," a police sergeant said.

No other details were immediately available.

A series of bomb blasts hit Manila shopping malls last year.

Police blamed the blasts on Muslim separatist guerrillas fighting for an Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

The blast adds to heightening tension in the capital, where supporters of ousted leader Joseph Estrada have held huge rallies in past days.

Estrada was arrested last Wednesday on corruption charges.

Security tightened in Philippine capital after blasts kill 14

Philippine Information Agency
Library of Congress Country Studies: Philippines
Governments on the WWW: Philippines

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