Bomb explodes in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines -- A bomb exploded Wednesday near a bustling wharf in the southern Philippine city of Davao, killing at least 15 people and wounding 34, officials said.\nTwo children and a nun were reported killed in the explosion, the second bombing in this city in less than a month. A March 4 bombing killed 21 people outside Davao's airport.\nThere was no immediate claim of responsibility for Wednesday's bombing. Both attacks were blamed on the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but the group denied playing a role in either one.\nThe bomb exploded at about 7 p.m. in a food stall along the highway just outside the pier's crowded gate as a passenger ship was about to depart, police chief Supt. Isidro Lapena said.\n"We think the security at the pier worked because the attackers were not able to bring the explosive inside," Lapena said.\nMany victims were vendors and children at nearby food stalls and restaurants, health officials said.\nLarry Laura, 39, said he was driving a van about 100 yards away when he heard the explosion. People were "shocked, speechless, crying and just watching bodies scattered on the ground a few seconds after the blast," he said.\nDr. Gerardo Cunanan, director of the Davao Medical Center, said 11 bodies were brought to the hospital morgue and four more were being retrieved from the site. The dead included at least two children and a nun, officials said.\nPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was scheduled to visit Davao Today, a\nnd there were no plans to cancel the trip.\n"This is a grim reminder that we must always be alert and watchful of those who wish to do us harm," Arroyo said. "The police and the military alone cannot do the job. This is a total war requiring the full attention and resources of the entire community."\nAfter last month's blast, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed tough measures to fight the insurgents. Arrest warrants were issued for leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.\nRebel spokesman Eid Kabalu condemned Wednesday's attack.\n"This is a crime against humanity," Kabalu said. "The attacker is a lunatic, a crazed man, killing innocent people. Politically there is nothing to gain from this attack."\nAmong those charged for the earlier attack was reclusive rebel chairman Hashim Salamat, who prosecutors say has declared a holy war against the government.