Nails ripped victims in Philippine blast

QUEZON CITY, Philippines, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The bomb that killed a Philippine congressman and two government workers was loaded with nails to maximize casualties, authorities said.

Another 11 people were wounded in Tuesday night's attack by unknown assailants at the Batasan Pambansa Complex, ABS-CBN News Online reported Wednesday.

Avelino Razon Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police, said investigators had yet to determine who was responsible for the explosion. However, ABS-CBN reported police have said in the past that using nails as shrapnel is a signature of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror group.

Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, told the news agency a cell phone was used to detonate the bomb, which was planted on a motorcycle parked near an entrance to the House of Representatives building.

Barias said police had questioned a House of Representatives cameraman who owned one of two wrecked motorcycles that were found and determined he was not a suspect.

Police said they are investigating whether the blast was intended for Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, who died of head injuries in the explosion. The other two fatalities were a driver and a staff member for two other lawmakers.