5 killed, 9 wounded in Philippines blast

 Five people, including three soldiers were killed and nine others wounded in a bomb explosion at a military camp in the Philippines' Sulu province on Friday, officials said.

Army Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the dead also included two civilians. The military blamed the attack in Indanan town on Abu Sayyaf gunmen notorious for carrying out kidnappings-for-ransom, bombings, ambushes to security personnel in Mindanao in the south.

"This attack is meant to disrupt the intensified security operations tempo following a series of recent operational gains in the area," Zagala was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

"We will respond with formidable resolve," Zagala added, vowing to further intensify efforts to crush the terror groups.

Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesman for the military's Western Mindanao Command, said an investigation was underway to determine whether the attack was caused by an improvised bomb. IANS