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 MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A powerful explosion in a grocery store on a volatile island in the southern Philippines killed nine people on Monday, and police said an extortion attempt by suspected militants was likely behind the bombing.
The provincial police chief in Jolo, Senior Superintendent Ahirun Ajirim, said an extortion letter was found at a nearby drug store shortly before a bomb ripped through the two-story cooperative building in downtown Jolo, killing nine and wounding 20.
Ajirim said he suspected al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels were involved in the bombing. He said the letter included two cell phone numbers, apparently to be used to contact the extortionists.
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