The death toll from a series of explosions in the Philippines has climbed to at least 10, as a leader of the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the attacks.
More than 120 others were wounded in the bomb blasts Monday in General Santos City and Davao, both cities on the island of Mindanao, and in the Philippine capital of Manila, to the north.
A representative for Abu Sayyaf told a local radio station the blasts were retribution for the government's campaign against Islamic rebels in the country's restive south.
Philippine police say they have been on high alert for attacks since last week, when the military stepped up an offensive against the southern rebels.