Asia Expats Forum

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

A bomb has exploded at a market packed with Christmas shoppers in the southern Philippines, killing at least six people and wounding several others, a local security official told CNN.

The blast happened at 3:40 p.m. (2:40 a.m. ET) Sunday in the bustling port city of General Santos on Mindanao Island. Previous bombings there have been blamed on local Islamic terrorist groups.

"The market was packed with people because there were Christmas flea market stalls there, and the explosion was powerful," police investigator Capt. Maximo Sebastian told The Associated Press.

Police cordoned off the area, fearing more explosives may have been planted, AP quoted radio reports as saying.

No one has claimed responsibility so far, Army Col. Medardo Geslani told AP. Geslani heads a regional anti-terrorism force.

Despite a crackdown by the military and police, Muslim militants maintain a presence in General Santos, 620 miles south of Manila.

The Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic organization on Washington's list of terror groups, claimed responsibility for a bomb that killed more than 100 people on a ferry leaving Manila in February, AP reported.
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(I would have posted this in the news section, but for some reason, it wont allow me to.)

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

What is general Santos? a city? island? province?
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tokyotom · Cohort Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 147 Location:

BBC is saying it could be the result of fighting between rival stall owners.

Seems a little harsh to me.

Looks like General Santos is a city on the island of Mindanao

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

Gen San, as it is generally known, is indeed a city on the island of Mindanao.
It always used to be one of the popular places for expats.

There have been a couple of bombings there now, which must have taken the edge of its appeal as a location.

I did see that comment on the BBC, but I think most people believe that it is terrorist related rather than personal.

Gringo69 · Cohort Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 196 Location:

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

how are a couple of stall owners supposed to get their hands on bomb making equipment etc..?
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Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

I am sure they could get dynamite if they wanted to as it is commonly (far too commonly) used for fishing.

However, it is more likely to be a terrorist group.

21yearsinthai · Cohort Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 315 Location:

Very dangerous game these exteremists are playing. The battle is being fought on several fronts its too bad innocent philippinos have to be involved. The only consolation I see is that they are failing in their bid to get ordinary muslims to support their cause.

kmossman · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 8 Location:

is there no good news to share?

frankly, i am sick of the media focusing on the negative

it does nothing positive

incidents, like these, are extremely isolated - I have travelled extensively throughout RP, including Mindanao, and including General Santos
without a HINT of a problem

When I was in Florida (USA!), there was a shoot-out between the cops and druggies, and it was common to see the cops surrounding a vehicle - all with shot-guns pointed

When I was in LA, our car was stolen

In BC (Canada), my sister's work buddy was murdered by a gang at 4pm, and another was mugged in broad daylight

I always felt safe in the Philippines then in America!

jooojoo · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 8 Location:

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

joojoo · Novice Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 30 Location:

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

I would be interested to hear exactly which posts you find are "just plain ridiculous"?

Some of the posters live in each of the countries listed.
Some are in the Philippines, and whilst I am not at this time, I have spent a lot of time there, sufficient to be able to answer some of the questions asked here.

Now, what makes you the expert?
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The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke

joojoo · Novice Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 30 Location: