Philippines explosion kills at least 10 people

At least 10 people have been killed and 30 others injured in a bombing that hit Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's southern home city of Davao.

According to Press TV, Davao city spokeswoman Catherine dela Rey confirmed the blast on Friday. Two dozen people were also injured.

Davao is located about 1,500 km from the capital Manila.

However, she said it had not been immediately clear what caused the blast, which rocked an area near one of Davao's top hotels packed with tourists and business people.

"There was an explosion but as to what caused it, it is still under investigation," dela Rey added.

Earlier, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella was quoted as saying that the explosion rocked a market area in Davao.

Duterte had served as mayor of Davao for most of the past two decades before being elected as president in June.

The president's son and Davao vice mayor, Paolo, confirmed the casualties and echoed dela Rey’s remarks.

"Right now, we cannot yet give definite answer to questions as to who is behind this as we are also trying to determine what really exploded," Paolo said in a statement.

Takfiri terrorists and communist rebels have claimed fatal assaults in Davao before.

SS