Philippine bombings: No one is a suspect and everyone is to blame

Reporting from Manila — The first bombs exploded outside two Catholic cathedrals in the restive southern Philippine island of Mindanao. They were followed by a series of blasts two days later that raised the toll to 12 dead and 100 injured.

The wave of violence last week in this religiously divided and politically troubled archipelago has made residents skittish even in Manila, the capital some 500 miles to the north, where a bomb damaged a government office in June and several others were found.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has beefed up an anti-terrorist command center and troops have been placed on high alert. Bomb-sniffing dogs patrol the airport and weapons checkpoints have sprung up throughout the metropolitan area of 12 million residents.

So far, no group has taken responsibility for the attacks -- fueling speculation in the press, on the streets and among opposing government factions.

Everyone seems to agree on this: Most every group is suspect.

Each day the newspapers offer a new scenario: The bombs were placed by extortion groups aided by ex-military officials. They're the work of communist insurgents or one of several Islamic separatist groups operating on Mindanao, where scores of bombs have either exploded or been uncovered this year.

The Christians blame the Muslims, and vice versa. Others blame opposition party spinoff groups. Still others blame Arroyo, claiming a farfetched scheme that would enable her to declare martial law.

"I don't think there's a master puppeteer for all of these bombings. But like most things when it comes to such violence, that's pure speculation," said Ricardo Blancaflor, executive director of the government's anti-terrorism council.

Many regard the violence as a prelude to Arroyo's State of the Nation address scheduled for this month.

Arroyo canceled a trip to Mindanao after the attacks there and instead convened a conference among her security advisors In Manila. After the meeting, officials said they believed the Mindanao bombings were test missions for insurgents who recently finished their training here.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila has advised Americans to avoid travel to the southern island, said duty officer Michael Ho. Philippines officials said the attacks were on the agenda for discussion with CIA chief Leon E. Panetta during his one-day visit Sunday.