Manila (dpa) - The death toll in a firecracker factory blast in the
Philippines rose to eight as rescuers continued to scour the rubble on
Friday in search for factory workers reported still missing, local
officials said.

   Forty-three people were wounded in the huge explosion on
Thursday in the sprawling compound of Starmaker Fireworks Factory in
Trece Martires town in Cavite province, 25 kilometres south of Manila,
according to town Mayor Melencio de Sagun.

   De Sagun said most of the wounded have been allowed to go home

Manila  - Ten government security forces and a civilian were wounded in separate attacks by communist rebels in the southern Philippines, military and police officials said Friday.

The first attack occurred in the district of Paquibato in Davao City, 990 kilometres south of Manila on Thursday, where a landmine explosion injured seven soldiers.

Regional military spokesman Major Randolph Cabangbang said the troops were aboard a military vehicle that hit a landmine planted by communist rebels on the roadside.

Zamboanga City, Philippines - A Philippine mayor, his driver and a bodyguard were killed Thursday in an attack by unidentified gunmen, police said.

Karam Jakilan - mayor of Albarkah town in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila - died at the scene of multiple gunshot wounds.

His driver and bodyguard were also killed in the ambush, said the provincial police chief, Superintendent Salik Macapantar.

The attack occurred while Jakilan was travelling near Badja village in Tipo-Tipo town, Macapantar said.

Manila  - The Philippine military said Thursday that the recent visit of a local official to three kidnapped staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross was "a step forward" in efforts to free them.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres, a military spokesman, said the visit also validated reports that the hostages - Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba - were "still alive" and "not suffering."

Manila  - More than 5,000 US troops were due to arrive in the Philippines to participate in annual joint military exercises, a military spokesman said Thursday.

The annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises aim to enhance the preparedness and cooperation between the two forces in times of crisis and conflict, Major Ramon Zagala said.

From 5,500 to 6,000 US troops were expected to participate in the war games, which are be held mainly in the eastern region of Bicol from February 25 to April 30, Zagala said.

Manila  - At least five people were killed in an explosion Thursday that rocked a firecracker factory just outside the Philippine capital, local officials said.

The blast occurred shortly before noon inside the Starmaker Fireworks factory in the village of Conchu in Trece Martires City in Cavite province, 25 kilometres south of Manila, according to Mayor Melencio de Sagun.

De Sagun said only two bodies of those killed remained intact while the other three bodies were found torn to pieces.