Bomb Blast Kills Five Outside Philippines Church

July 5, 2009 8:17 a.m. EST

Cotabato, Philippines (AHN) - A bomb suspected of being planted by Muslim separatist militants was detonated at a church in the Philippines and killed five people and wounded more than 30 others.

The bomb was set off near the gate of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the southern town of Cotabato, according to several reports. One of the dead is believed to be a soldier in the Philippines army.

Media reports say the Archbishop Orlando Quevedo was almost finished his homily when the bomb went off. Police arrested one suspect who was identified by a witness at the blast scene, the Philippine Star reported.

Police and Army officials told reporters that they suspect the terror group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is responsible for the attack.