RP Gas stations hit by bombs

RP Gas stations hit by bombs

COTABATO, Philippines (AP): At least five people were injured when homemade bombs exploded Thursday at gas stations in three southern Philippine towns, police and radio reports said.

The bombings came on the eve of a planned protest against rising oil prices. No group claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The first bomb exploded at a Shell station in Pikit in North Cotabato province, injuring gasoline station attendants.

Two men riding a motorcycle stopped at the station to have a 20-liter plastic container filled with gasoline. The container exploded as it was being filled up, triggering a fire that razed the gasoline station to the ground.

Two other blasts took place minutes later at a Petron station in nearby Matalam and a Caltex station in Kabacan.