MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A third bomb exploded in Mindanao Wednesday night on the eve of the gathering of leaders for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cebu, local television network ABS-CBN News reported.

    The blast took place along a street in Cotabato City at 22:45 local time (14:45 GMT), injuring at least one person, said the report. An improved explosive device placed inside a trash can caused the explosion.

    The blast in Cotabato City took place two hours after a second bomb went off in Kidapawan City in Cotabato province, southern Philippines, seriously wounding a 14-year-old boy.

    The first bomb attack on Wednesday took place in General Santos City, killing at least six and wounding 26.

Police examine the scene of a blast which took place in General Santos city, southern Philippines January 10, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    Authorities have placed the entire southern Mindanao region on Alert Level 4 or "critical" security level while Metro Manila and Cebu remained on Alert Level 2 or "moderate."

    The Philippine military also raised the red alert nationwide for the ASEAN summit, which will officially begin Thursday with ministerial meetings in Cebu.

    Canada, Britain and Australia have renewed warnings against going to Cebu and Mindanao during the summit.

    The Philippines abruptly postponed the ASEAN summit last month, citing threat of a typhoon, days after the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand issued warnings against going to Cebu and Mindanao. 

    Related:

    Second blast hits southern Philippines, injuring two

    MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hours after the deadly bombing in General Santos City that killed at least six people and injured 20 others, another blast rocked Kidapawan City in Cotabato, southern Philippines, local media reported Wednesday night.

    Two people were injured in the second blast that occurred at 8:45 p.m., said a report by GMA news network.

    No details were available as of posting time.

    The first explosion took place at 6:10 p.m. at a lotto outlet in General Santos City. The area was reportedly crowded when the blast occurred.

    Bomb experts of the General Santos Police are still investigating the incident.

    Chief Superintendent German Doria said police also were looking into the possibility that the blast stemmed from the failure of the lottery outlet operator to pay winners of a lottery draw.

    "This Lotto outlet closed three days ago because many bettors won ... then all of a sudden an explosion occurred in front of the Lotto outlet," Doria said.

    Blast kills six in southern Philippines

    MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 20 others were injured on Wednesday after an explosion ripped at a lotto outlet in General Santos City, southern Philippines, local media reported.

    The explosion took place at 6:10 p.m. at a lotto outlet in front of the Anchor Hotel along Santiago Boulevard, said a report by ABS-CBN news network.

    The area was reportedly crowded when the blast occurred.

    Bomb experts of the General Santos Police are now investigating the incident, said the report.

    Chief Superintendent German Doria said police also were looking into the possibility that the blast stemmed from the failure of the lottery outlet operator to pay winners of a lottery draw.

    "This Lotto outlet closed three days ago because many bettors won ... then all of a sudden an explosion occurred in front of the Lotto outlet," Doria said.