Bomb blasts rock Jolo

An injured man is carried to Jolo hospital

At least five people have been killed and more than 70 injured in bomb blasts in the southern Philippines near where Muslim rebels are holding 21 hostages.

Everybody started running away - there were a lot of bloodied people

Market worker Basir Kasim

Three grenades exploded in a crowded market on Jolo island, killing at least three people and injuring about 40 others, police and witnesses said.

At about the same time, a bomb went off in a bakery opposite a police station in Zamboanga City on neighbouring Mindanao Island.

One woman was killed and at least 30 others injured, police said.

The devices exploded at around 1530 (0730GMT) but police could not say if they were connected.

It was not immediately known if the blasts were related to a surge in Islamic militancy in the south of the predominantly Catholic country.

Rebels from the fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf group have held 21 mainly foreign hostages captive for 25 days in the hills above Jolo.

Unconscious

Jolo police chief Muhammad Alamia quoted witnesses as saying that three men threw the grenades from the second floor of the market.

Dozens were injured in the attack

Two of the grenades exploded in a rice stall and the third in a crowded alley, he added.

Asked if the rebels might be responsible for the blasts, Mr Alamia said: "It is possible that this is a diversionary tactic of the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas."

Some of the injured in Jolo were unconscious and others had serious head wounds.

Market worker Basir Kasim said: "I heard explosions, then everybody started falling to the ground.

"Everybody started running away. There were a lot of bloodied people."

Ransom

The blasts occurred as government negotiators prepared for the start of formal talks with the kidnappers.

The rebels were reported to have demanded a ransom of $2m for the release of an ailing German tourist among their captives.

Negotiators, who rejected the demand, had been hopeful talks with the rebels would start on Thursday, but later said they might not be held until Friday or Saturday.