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CNN Sunday Morning

In Philippines, Investigators Trying to Learn Who Planted Deadly Bomb

Aired April 21, 2002 - 10:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we're going to move on to talk about the Philippines where investigators in the Philippines are trying to learn who planted that deadly bomb in General Santos city.

And Maria Ressa joins us now by videophone with the latest again from there - Maria.

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Kyra, there were two explosions Sunday. The first and the deadliest happened about 3:00 in the afternoon Sunday. It was a homemade bomb planted outside a busy department store near city hall in General Santos City. At least 14 dead, at least 48 injured.

A short while ago, a man claiming to be a member of the extremist group, the Abu Sayyaf, called a local radio station (UNITELLIGIBLE) and claimed responsibility. Authorities say they're investigating that claim. The Abu Sayyaf is an al Qaeda linked group that's been the target of about 1,000 U.S. troops in the nearby island of Basilan, which is about 250 miles east of General Santos City. These ongoing joint military exercises have been going on since January. Target is the Abu Sayyaf, U.S. troops are here to help train Filipino military, help them wipe out, in the words of the Philippine president, this al Qaeda-linked group. The Abu Sayyaf has also beheaded an American and continues to hold two Americans hostage for nearly a year.

These explosions coincide with the arrival of 3,000 U.S. troops this weekend. Most of those troops are slated to begin another round of military exercises in the central Philippines. That will happen on Monday - Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Maria Ressa from Manila. Thank you.

We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back.

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