An Indonesian man implicated in a string of deadly bombings in Manila 18 months ago has been sentenced to up to 17 years in jail.

Agus Dwirkana was found guilty in the Philippines on Friday of the illegal possession of explosives.

Another alleged associate of al-Ghozi was arrested this week

He was arrested during a visit to the Philippines capital in March, when he was said to have met now-jailed Indonesian Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, who has admitted his involvement in the Manila attacks.

After Dwirkana's conviction, he was presented to Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, who hailed the move as a "victory for the... government's fight against terrorism".

Manila plot link

Justice official Jose Calida said police would investigate allegations that Dwirkana was involved in the series of attacks in Manila in December 2000 and a bomb attack on the Philippines embassy in Indonesia in the same year.

He said additional charges against Dwirkana may then be laid.

His alleged associate, al-Ghozi, is serving 12 years in jail, also for the illegal possession of explosives.

Officials allege that al-Ghozi is the explosives expert for Jemaah Islamiah, which analysts say wants to establish a pan-Asian Islamic state, and which US and regional officials allege also has links with Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda.

He still faces charges relating to the Manila bombings, which may include murder charges.

Police say Dwirkana is a "confirmed member" of Jemaah Islamiah, and justice official Calida said that intelligence reports also linked the Indonesian with Majlis Mujahedin Indonesian, a group said to be even closer to al-Qaeda.