Eleven people were killed and 68 hurt on Sunday night when a powerful explosion rocked a gymnasium in southern Philippine, which was packed to capacity to watch a basketball game.

Vivencio Bataga, the mayor of Parang town where the gymnasium was located, was among the injured. Authorities said the mayor was the likely target. Bataga told reporters the attack was aimed at him.

Parang police chief Oscar Nantes told Manila radio station DZRH that the cops are looking at the 'politics angle' as one of the motives for the blast.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Eid Kabalu, spokesman for the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front, condemned the attack and said his group will help authorities track down the perpetrators.

Agencies