1 Killed in Blast Near Philippine Army Camp

A powerful explosion in a karaoke bar near a Philippine army camp killed one person Saturday and wounded about 20 on Jolo island, where U.S. troops are staying for joint war exercises.

Philippine Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, the top military officer on Jolo island, today identified the dead man as a driver who was working under contract for U.S. troops.

There were no American casualties in the blast, and military officials said the explosion would not hamper joint counterterrorism maneuvers that are scheduled to start Monday and continue for two weeks.

“The explosion last night was caused by a bomb made of ammonium nitrate,” Aleo said.

Aleo said the bomb was placed in the toilet of the karaoke bar, and that authorities were investigating whether the attack was linked to a feud between two groups of men.

Asked whether the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf could have been involved, Aleo said, “That’s also a possibility.”

Security is a top concern during joint military activities on the southern island of Jolo, because the region long has been a militant stronghold.

In the past, rebels have kidnapped Americans and threatened to attack U.S. troops stationed in the country.

About 250 U.S. troops were welcomed by local officials in a ceremony on Jolo on Saturday.

They are to take part in Balikatan, an annual joint exercise between U.S. and Philippine troops.