Manila  - A Philippine court convicted three Muslim militants Friday in the deadly bombing of an overhead train in Manila more than eight years ago and sentenced them to more than 20 years in prison.

Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Cielito Mendaro-Grulla found Mukhlis Hadji Yunus, Abdul Fatak Paute and Mamasao Naga guilty of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.

The attack on the Light Railway Transit train in Manila's suburban district of Blumentritt was one of five near-simultaneous bombings on December 30, 2000, which killed
22 people.

More than 100 people were also injured in the attacks, which also included bombings near the US embassy, at a petrol station and on a passenger bus.

Police chief Jesus Versoza welcomed the decision, saying it boosted the government's fight against terrorism.

An Indonesian terrorist suspect was also arrested for allegedly financing the bombings, but he escaped detention. He was eventually killed in a firefight with government troops. (dpa)