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Philippines on high alert
From CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa in Manila
MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- The Philippines is on high alert following a series of blasts, one which struck an airport in the country's largest city, killing 21 people. As security is stepped up around the country, authorities say they have arrested nine people in connection with the Tuesday bombing at the airport in Davao on Mindanao Island. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited the bombed-out airport on Wednesday, leaving a wreath for those that were killed, as police reported two other bombings hit the country, this time without loss of life. Despite the upsurge of violence in recent days, Arroyo says U.S. troops will not go into combat against Philippine rebels. (No to combat) U.S. Special Forces are already training local troops in the southern Philippines. Backpack bombTwenty-one people died and 145 were injured after a bomb, reportedly planted in a backpack, exploded in the airport's waiting area at about 5.30 p.m. local time (0930 GMT) on Tuesday. About 80 people had gathered to greet passengers on a plane that had just landed, officials said. A smaller bomb hit Tagum, north of Davao, shortly afterwards, slightly injuring two people. On Wednesday, a blast hit a crowded store in the city of Cotabato, also on Mindanao Island, while another hit a power transmission line, cutting electricity to the southern part of the island for about an hour. Authorities say the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could be behind the blasts, and are questioning several members of the rebel group. A MILF spokesman has denied the group's involvement. The MILF are the largest Muslim separatist group in the south of the country. "We are looking at all possible angles. We don't want to add to the speculation by naming anyone or groups in particular," Philippine national security adviser Roilo Golez said. "We have doubled up security at the Davao airport and other vital facilities, not only in Mindanao, but all over the country." Davao is 609 miles (980 km) south of Manila, and is the largest city on Mindanao Island. 'Brazen act'
Arroyo, who has invited U.S. troops to help train local forces in counter-terrorism, condemned the airport bombing as "a brazen act of terrorism which shall not go unpunished." She also ruled out allowing U.S. forces a combat role in joint anti-terrorism exercises in the southern Philippines. U.S. President George W. Bush also condemned the "wanton terrorist act and pledges cooperation and assistance to ensure that those who were responsible are brought to justice," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said. An American missionary was among those killed. Included in the list of fatalities were two children, 10 men and seven women. Two of the injured died overnight in hospital. Muslim insurgents and guerilla groups, including the Abu Sayyaf and the MILF, have been waging a bloody battle against the government for decades, mainly in the country's south. Fighting has escalated since the Philippine military attacked a key MILF stronghold three weeks ago. Since then, the military has blamed a series of bombings and raids on the MILF, including an attack on power transmission towers which triggered a massive power failure in the southern Philippines last week. U.S. roleThe bombings come as the Philippines debates the role of U.S. forces in its war on terror. Washington and Manila are considering how U.S. troops can be used in the fight against Abu Sayyaf rebels, who have been linked to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network. Plans for military exercises involving more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers, including Special Forces, were shelved after a dispute over terminology and a combat role for the American deployment. The U.S. role was set to extend beyond the scope of training exercises conducted in the Philippines in the past. During a relatively successful six-month anti-terror training mission last year in Basilan against the Abu Sayyaf, U.S. forces were based a long way from the front lines. Some U.S. Special Forces are currently training Philippine units in counter-terrorism tactics in and around the city of Zamboanga, 350 kilometers (220 miles) west of Davao.
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