Philippine President Joseph Estrada's impeachment trial was set to resume under heavy security today as the death toll from bomb attacks in Manila at the weekend rose to 15.
The series of explosions on Saturday frightened local financial markets and the peso fell to a record low of 52 to the dollar when trade resumed after the holiday weekend.
The stock market closed about three per cent down.
Presidential spokesman Mr Ernesto Maceda said the FBI was sending a forensic team to the Philippines to help police investigating the bombings.
He said the US assistance was in line with an agreement on co-operation in combating terrorism signed between Manila and Washington during Mr Estrada's visit to the US last year.
Police said they were stepping up security around the Senate building where Estrada's trial on bribery and corruption charges was to resume today. Reuters