Three separate explotions rocked the Philippines today. The explotions were set in Mindanao (Southern Philippines) and at Ayala Center in Metro Manila.

At around 6.30pm in Davao City, an 81-mm mortar exploded outside the Ecoland bus terminal in Matina district where one person was killed and six people were injured.

Thirty minutes later, at around 7pm, another blast caused chaos outside the Gaisano Mall in General Santos City. Five people died and fourteen were injured.

Shortly, after the Davao blasts, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) spokesman Abu Solaiman contacted DZBB, a local radio station, and owned up to the bomb blasts. He then claimed another blast was to be set of and said that the blood bombings were a “Valentine’s gift” to the President.

After the interview, at around 7.30pm, the third blast ripped through a bus and set two other buses on fire at the MRT Ayala Center Bus Terminal in Makati City. The blast killed three and injured dozens.

News Sources:

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Los Angeles Times

CNN