Separatists blamed for Filipino bombings

A series of bombs exploded in the Philippines capital Manila yesterday, killing at least 13 people and wounding 95.

A government spokesman said the authorities were working on the possibility that the bombs had been placed by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim separatist group.

Hector Janjalani, a brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafy Janjalani, was arrested in Manila last week after he was found with drugs and weapons.

The first four explosions were all at around noon local time.

The most devastating explosion was in the front coach of a crowded elevated train as it was pulling into a station. At least 11 people were killed and about 60 wounded, officials said.

Another bomb injured nine people when it went off on a park bench near the American embassy. Only a few hours earlier, Estrada had addressed a public function nearby to commemorate 19th- century independence leader Jose Rizal.

A third bomb exploded on a bus as it neared a terminal, killing one person. "It was so powerful it stood the bus up on end," said a television reporter.

A fourth explosion was reported in a warehouse at Manila's international airport, some 700 metres from the passenger terminal. Six people were injured, officials said.

A fifth bomb was found in a gift-wrapped package near the luxury Dusit Hotel in the Makati financial district, police said. It was seen by a security guard and was taken to an abandoned petrol station.

A policeman was killed when it exploded as he was trying to defuse it. Another officer was injured.

President Joseph Estrada appealed for calm. "We are going to use the full force of the law to suppress this violence," he said.

He blamed the blasts on "desperate and cowardly people" with a political agenda.

Estrada is currently being tried by a Senate impeachment court on charges of bribery and corruption. The court resumes proceedings on Tuesday after a 10-day recess.

Congressman Heherson Alvarez, in a statement issued on behalf of the united opposition, said it was feared that "these attacks are coming from people who fear the truth that is coming out at the impeachment trial".

"We warn Malacanang (the presidential palace) not to allow these terrorist attacks as an opportunity to create conditions of martial law or a state of emergency."

But presidential spokesman Mike Toledo denied that government agents were to blame.

"There are some people - and I understand it's some members of the opposition - who have already taken advantage of this situation by blaming the administration that somehow these are a prelude to martial law," he said.

"Let me say that is really a pathetic statement," he added. "A number of innocent lives have already been lost because of this cowardly and dastardly act, yet some people continue to play politics."

Police emptied a shopping mall in the Makati district yesterday afternoon but the abandoned package they found contained only mangoes, mushrooms and underwear.

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