Terrorism in The Philippines - 2002

A bomb exploded outside a busy department store in General Santos, killing 15 people. Two other bombs went off in quick succession near a radio station and a bus terminal also in General Santos. The series of blasts injured at least 55 people, while the dead included four children. Police said they received an anonymous call claiming 18 bombs had been planted around the largely Christian city of 800,000 people in the predominantly Muslim south. Earlier in the year the so-called Indigenous People's Federal Army had planted more than a dozen fake bombs in the area, saying they would use real bombs if their demands were not met. Police later arrested two men, members of a Muslim extremist group, based on the description from witnesses who saw one of the men place the small, homemade bomb outside the Fit Mart department store in the mall. Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the incident.

A bomb blast in front of a karaoke bar near a military arms depot in Zamboanga City kills an American Green Beret commando and three Filipino civilians. At least 25 other people, one of them another American trooper, were wounded in the blast. Investigators were looking at the possibility of a suicide attack as the rider of a motorcycle where the explosives were rigged was among the fatalities. A military intelligence report said the attack was staged by a "four-man urban terrorist group" of the Abu Sayyaf which has been linked to al-Qaeda.

A powerful homemade bomb exploded in a crowded bus station in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, killing up to eight people and wounding 26 others. Kidapawan police said two of the fatalities died instantly, while the others died undergoing treatment in local hospitals. One of the fatalities was an un-identified child. The spokesman for the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said the explosion occurred at around 3 p.m. as passengers and bystanders crowded the Weena Bus terminal in Kidapawan. Initial investigation reports said the explosive device was placed under a concrete bench near the ticketing booth and fashioned from incendiary chemicals mixed with nails and shredded cast iron, and rigged with a battery-operated, time-delayed blasting device. Other reports said it was a grenade used. The management of Weena had earlier received a letter from an extortion ring of a local gang, demanding protection money.

Two TNT bombs exploded inside a shopping center in Zamboanga City, killing seven and wounding about 150 people. Two department stores were devastated in the attack; the first blast occurred at 11:30 a.m. at the Shop-o-Rama department store and was followed a half hour later by a second explosion at the adjacent Shoppers Central store. Police Chief Mario Yanga said the bombs were deposited at counters where shoppers leave packages as they enter.

A bomb exploded in the rear of a bus as it was travelling through Quezon City, killing 3 and wounding around 30 others. The explosion ripped off its roof and sent debris flying 20–30 metres. Earlier a grenade exploded in the Makati financial district though no-one was injured.

A Philippine Marine guarding the church was killed and 18 others wounded after a bomb in bag left at a candle store exploded at Fort Pilar, a Catholic shrine in Zamboanga City.

A bomb exploded during a party for the Mayor of the town of Datu Piang, Maguindanao, killing 13, including the mayor Saudi Ampatuan. The explosion took place outside his home, injuring 12 others. Authorities checked a possible link between the explosion and a gun battle at a disco the weekend before which involved feuding political families. A brother of Mayor Ampatuan and four others died in the skirmish and eight other people were injured.

A bomb blast next to a fireworks stall in a Tacurong City market at around 8 p.m. on New Years Eve kills at least 10 people and injures up to 32 others. The explosive used may have either been a 60mm mortar shell or a grenade. Witnesses said about 50 customers were at the stall buying firecrackers when the blast occurred at the city's busy square. Four people died instantly, including the 14-year-old, an army spokesman reported.