Batangas blast leaves 2 dead

MANILA, Philippines— At least two people were declared dead after a homemade bomb exploded in Santo Tomas, Batangas on Monday.

The explosion reportedly occurred in Madison Garden Subdivision, Barangay San Roque, Sto Tomas, Batangas at 11 a.m.

Authorities said the victims, yet to be identified, were believed to be a couple.

A child reportedly survived the explosion but was rushed to the hospital after obtaining injuries from the blast.

In a radio interview with dzMM, Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza, police director of Calabarzon, said the explosion occurred at a residential area being used as an illegal factory of improvised blasting caps.

The authorities are investigating the incident as well as the explosion area.

—Rosette Adel