Death toll rises to 3 from bomb blast at billiard hall near carnival in southern Philippines

KIDAPAWAN, Philippines – The death toll from a bomb blast in a billiard hall near a crowded town carnival in the southern Philippines has risen to three, officials said Monday.

The death toll rose overnight after one of the wounded died in hospital, Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, an army spokeswoman, said Monday. Another 22 people were wounded in the blast.

Mayor Joselito Pinol said two men left the bomb, which was apparently concealed in a bag, at the billiard hall late Sunday in his town of Mlang in North Corabato province. The two men left hurriedly on a motorcycle before the blast happened.

Pinol said bomb shrapnel and flying debris hit people in the billiard hall and in a nearby carnival. The blast damaged the billiard hall.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Government troops have been on alert for possible attacks in the region by a Muslim rebel faction opposed to a new peace deal between the government and a larger Muslim insurgent group.