At least 15 killed by bomb at Philippines food stall

A large bomb exploded in the city of Davao last night, killing at least 15 people and injuring 34 in the second attack within a month.

The President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, ordered "total war" on the perpetrators of the bombing, which rocked the southern city's busy wharf area, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A Muslim rebel group, accused of carrying out a bombing at Davao's international airport that killed 21 people on 4 March, condemned the attack.

Police said it was believed that the bomb had been left in a food stall in the city's Sasa district. Among the dead were at least two children and a nun, officials said.

President Arroyo condemned the attack, and said she had ordered security forces to crack down and arrest "these lawless elements and terrorists", adding: "This is a grim reminder that we must always be alert and watchful of those who wish to do us harm.

"We must not be intimidated. 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."

Earlier, Lt-Gen Narciso Abaya, military chief in the southern Philippines, said he had ordered troops to stay on the highest alert.

Arrest warrants were issued after the airport bombing for leaders of the Muslim separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Its spokesman, Eid Kabalu, condemned yesterday's attack. He said: "This is a crime against humanity. This heinous act has no place in the MILF. We want this investigated and again, [as] in the first attack, we would be offering our assistance." (AP)