Manila - More than 400 people were injured by fireworks and stray gunshots in Manila as Filipinos rang in 2001 hoping for an end to the violence and political instability of the past year.
Despite the raucous start, festivities were subdued by previous standards after a series of bomb explosions on Saturday which left 14 dead and 100 injured in Manila. Two bombing suspects who were taken for questioning by police were released due to lack of evidence. Mr Ernesto Maceda, a spokesman for the president, said initial investigations indicated the bombings could be the work of "ultra-rightists".