One killed, 7 injured as bomb explodes in Philippines

Maguindanao Gov. in Philippine Esmael Toto Mangudadatu narrowly survived a roadside bomb attack that killed one person and injured seven others, including a provincial board member, while they were on their way to a resort to celebrate the governor’s 43rd birthday in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat. "The very powerful bomb was intended for me," Mangudadatu, who was riding in his bullet proof van, said minutes after the blast that occurred along the Tacurong City-Koronadal highway. The blast scene was about 100 meters from the Tacurong Fitmart. The bomb went off while the convoy of Mangudadatu was passing by Philippines Inquirer News reported. One was confirmed dead and seven others were rushed to the hospital. A leg and other body parts of one of the wounded were left inside a mangled Toyota Fortuner.