JOLO (Philippines), Feb 19: One person died in a bomb blast at a karaoke bar near a Philippine army camp on southern Jolo island where American troops are staying, the Philippine military said on Sunday.

Officials said Al Qaeda-linked rebels were possible suspects.

“The explosion last night was caused by a bomb made of ammonium nitrate,” said Brig-Gen Alexander Aleo, the top military officer on Jolo island. He said a Philippine driver working on contract for US troops was killed, and hospitals reported 28 others were wounded, including four local soldiers.

There were no American casualties in the blast on Saturday, and military officials said the explosion would not hamper two-week joint counter-terrorism manoeuvres scheduled to start Monday. The US soldiers on Jolo island will focus on humanitarian projects.

Mr Aleo said the bomb was placed in the bar’s washroom.

Investigators were looking at a number of possible suspects, including Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.

The blast occurred on the day about 250 American troops were welcomed by local officials in a ceremony on Jolo. —AP