Manila - A homemade bomb ripped through a commuter van in the southern Philippines on Thursday, killing two people and wounding at least five, officials said.

Colonel Pedro Sorio, an army brigade commander, said the blast occurred as the van was about to leave a passenger terminal in Midsayap City, North Cotabato province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.

"I have ordered troops to investigate the incident," he said.

Soria said authorities were still determining the motive for the attack, but noted that previous bombings in the city were related to extortion demands by criminal groups. (dpa)