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Bank manager injured in blast in Philippines

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-12 12:27

MANILA -- A manager of a state-controlled bank was wounded in a grenade blast Sunday night in the restive southern Philippines, police said on Monday.

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The victim, Khurshid Kalabud, manager of Land Bank of the Philippines based in Kidapawan City, sustained shrapnel wounds in his body after motorcycle-riding men hurled a hand grenade at his house there, said local police chief Superintendent Willy Danggane.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack but authorities are looking into possible involvement of people linked with the Moro Islamic liberation Front, the country's largest rebel group.

Manila has suspended peace talks with the MILF and ordered a massive assault after two rebel commanders launched a string of deadly attacks all over Mindanao.

The MILF has been fighting for a separate Islamic state since 1978. It signed a cease-fire in 2003 with the government, but skirmishes have been going on and off along with the peace talks between the two sides.