2 killed in twin blasts in S Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least two persons were killed and 12 others were injured when two grenades exploded Monday night in Zamboanga city, in southern Philippine island of Mindanao, police said Tuesday.

Unidentified suspects threw two grenades in a village in Zamboanga city, killing two village council officials, identified as Elvic Gregorio and Cecilia Ebol, both were residents of Ayala village.

The injured were the incumbent village chairman Diosterides Libredo, his wife and 10 others, some of them incumbent council members.

City police director Dennis Bansgi said Tuesday that the victims were having their meeting in the house of the village chairman along the highway when the suspects riding in tandem on a motorcycle hurled the grenades which exploded simultaneously around 8 pm local time.

The suspects escaped amidst the cover of the darkness and heavy downpour.

Police recovered near the blast site two safety levers indicating that the suspects used fragmentation grenades in their attack.

The village is scheduled to hold an election on Nov 25. Violence is common among elections at different levels in the Philippines.