October 3, 2002	Thursday	Rajab 25, 1423

ZAMBOANGA (Philippines), Oct 2: A US soldier and a Filipino were killed on Wednesday when a powerful homemade bomb believed to be planted by rebels exploded near a military camp in southern Philippines, a local military official said.

Nine Filipinos were also injured in the blast in a small bar in Zamboanga, three kilometres from where the Philippine military’s southern headquarters is located. “We’re not sure yet, but definitely we believe it’s the handywork of terrorists,” Colonel Alexander Yapching told reporters, pointing out to the way the bomb was placed.

“The bomb was planted on a motorcycle and parked in front of this community bar.”

The bomb totally wrecked the motorcycle and ripped the front part of house which had been converted into a bar. Witnesses said they believed some of the wounded were passersby.

US military officials in Washington confirmed the death of the American soldier and said there were currently about 270 American troops in the Philippines.

They did not provide a breakdown on where the troops were, but a small number of elite American Special Operations troops is believed to be in the southern part of the country advising Philippine forces in the fight against Muslim guerillas fighting for independence.

US defence officials at the Pentagon in Washington said the Pacific Command based in Hawaii had confirmed one American military death and at least one American injury in the blast.—Reuters