10 killed in bus blast in the Philippines

By the CNN Wire Staff

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

A militant group is thought to be behind the attack
The incident took place in southern Philippines

(CNN) -- At least 10 people were killed and 30 others wounded Thursday when a bomb blew up on a bus in the southern Philippines, the Philippines News Agency reported, citing police.

The incident occurred in Matalam, North Cotabato, in the predominantly Muslim south.

Police think the bombing was orchestrated by Moro Islamic Liberation Front militants after one of its officials was arrested recently.

Three unidentified men boarded the bus along the highway in Kabacan and left in Matalam, authorities said. An improvised explosive device that police say was fashioned from a mortar cartridge and triggered by a mobile phone detonated minutes later.

People have tried to extort money from bus companies in the past. But police in this case have ruled out extortion as a motive, the agency said.