Explosion kills old woman in Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines - An elderly woman was killed after an explosion hit her house in Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City on Saturday morning.

The victim was identified as Norma Lladones. She was declared dead on arrival at the Western Mindanao Medical Center.

Authorities said that the explosion hit Lladones' house at around 7:50 a.m.

Explosive and ordnance operatives have yet to determine if the explosion was caused by a rocket propelled grenade or a mortar.

The woman was the first fatality recorded on Saturday, or thirteen days since the Moro National Liberation Front fighters under the leadership of Nur Misuari attacked villages in the city on September 9.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a total of 103 have been killed in the ongoing crisis as of 6 a.m.

A total of 80 MNLF members were among those killed, 10 were civilians, 10 more were members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and three more were members of the Philippine National Police.

The NDRRMC also reported that a total of 113,389 people have been displaced by the crisis.

It said more than 10,000 have been gutted by fire as the MNLF torched several areas in the city.