December 31, 2000, Associated Press / Seattle Times, Investigation under way in Philippine blasts, by Adam Brown,

December 31, 2000, Associated Press / Seattle Times, Investigation under way in Philippine blasts, by Adam Brown,

MANILA - Philippine authorities combed wreckage, drew a composite sketch and manned a tip hotline yesterday as they searched for suspects in five explosions that killed at least 13 people and left the nation on edge.

Jittery residents in Manila celebrated a subdued New Year's Eve amid a heavy police presence, grim media images of mangled bodies and the fear of more attacks. Embattled President Joseph Estrada faced growing anger from opposition groups.

No one has claimed responsibility for Saturday's explosions, which hit a train, a bus, a gas station, a park and Manila's international airport. More than 100 people were injured.

Estrada's Senate impeachment trial was to resume tomorrow. He denied opposition claims that he would use the bombings as an excuse to declare martial law.

Police in Manila said they were holding a witness who helped draft a sketch of a man he said he saw hiding one of the bombs.

Philippine National Police Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome added he had "a good lead" but refused to elaborate.

Police hinted that Muslim rebels could be involved, while a presidential spokesman implicated communist rebels. The powerful political opposition said the attacks were aimed at distracting the population from Estrada's trial.

Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Angelo Reyes said soldiers were increasing patrols of communications, power and water facilities nationwide yesterday. Plain-clothes and uniform police were to boost security at Manila malls, transportation terminals and key government buildings, including the presidential palace, he said.

The first four explosions Saturday came almost simultaneously around midday, sending thousands of panicked residents rushing from buildings. A bomb on a train killed 11 people and injured more than 60.

Later, police found a fifth bomb at a downtown gas station. Two members of a bomb squad were killed when it went off while they tried to defuse it.

The attacks increased political tension, already high with Estrada's fate hanging in the balance.

Accused of taking millions in illegal gambling receipts and tax money intended for tobacco farmers, he is charged with bribery, graft, betrayal of public trust and violating the constitution.

Police said the bombings had no apparent link to the trial and suggested the Abu Sayyaf, the smaller of two Muslim separatist groups in the southern Philippines, were to blame.

The government has been fighting the Abu Sayyaf rebels for 10 years, but the conflict intensified this summer. On Thursday, police arrested Abu Sayyaf spokesman Hector Janjalani in Manila. They said he had several grenades and sketches of potential targets in the city.

But Maceda pointed to the New People's Army, a communist group that has been fighting the government more than 30 years.