Zamboanga bombings - Definition

The Zamboanga bombings refer to the October 17, 2002 explosions of two bombs in the main shopping district of the mostly Christian city of Zamboanga in the southern Philippines, killing six and wounding about 150.

It was the second major bomb attack in southeast Asia in less than a week, following the October 11th Bali car bombing. Suspicion immediately focused Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamic extremist group that is said to be working with Al-Qaida.

A day later on October 18 2002, a Manila bus bombing killed three people and wounded 22.

On March 4, 2003 a separate attack took place on an airport in Davao. Suspicion again fell on Jemaah Islamiyah.

Links and references

• Bombers Hit Mall in Philippine City (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/17/international/asia/17FILI.html), Reuters, October 17, 2002
• 21 die in Philippine airport bombing (http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/news/5319802.htm), Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2003