One killed and 28 other wounded in a blast that rocked a karaoke bar near a military headquarter in Jolo, Sulu on Saturday evening.

The lone fatality was Domingo de Leon Jr, a native of Cavite in Southern Luzon.

The victim works in Camp Teofilo Bautista where some American and Filipino soldiers participating in US-RP joint military Balikatan exercises temporary reside.

Some wounded victims, suffering third-degree burns, were confined in Camp Navarro and Sulu provincial hospitals.

Identities of those under treatment, including some soldiers and a boy, were unavailable as of posting time.

Report said, the explosion occurred around 8:00 p.m. Saturday inside the V-Mar karaoke bar, a few meters away from Camp Teofilo Bautista.

Authorities believe members of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group carried out the bombing. They said the group wants to make their presence felt to warn participants of the forthcoming Balikatan exercises in the region.

US military officials in the area condemned the attack, and they assured the people the incident won’t stop the military exercise and civil program from taking place.

About 250 US troops are will join Filipino units for the annual exercises beginning on Monday. -GMANEWS.TV