(UPDATE) 13 hurt in Iligan blast

Thirteen people, including three soldiers, were wounded in another explosion today -- this time near a pawnshop in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte -- a military official said.

Col. Benito de Leon, the Army's 104th Brigade commander, said an improvised explosive device went off around 10:30 a.m. at the vicinity of Exquisite Pawnshop at the corner of Sabayle and Cabili streets, Iligan City.

The three wounded soldiers were identified as Capt. Edito Ancheta, and a certain Pfc. Patarlas and Pfc. Ela, all members of the Army's Forward Support Battalion of the Light Armor Division. The soldiers, who were then on board a mini-cruiser jeep, were among those rushed to the Dr. Uy Hospital for treatment.

Initial investigation disclosed that the bomb, believed to be planted by rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front members, was made from an 81 mm mortar ammunition, similar to the one used in the Cotabato bomb attack.

Authorities are still investigating the incident. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)