Philippines

[Casey]

MANILA: Police announced they had foiled a bombing plot by Muslim militants and Britain warned of an imminent terrorist attack on Wednesday as the Philippines capital was on heightened alert for possible terrorist attacks during the Easter break.

Tens of thousands of Filipinos began the long trek back to their home provinces on Wednesday ahead of the holiday as Britain and the United States updated travel advisories warning their citizens to avoid the Philippines. The military announced it had foiled a plot by the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group to bomb "soft targets" in Manila during the Easter break.

More than 10,000 police have been deployed throughout the capital mainly at bus, sea and air terminals, Manila’s police chief Avelino Razon said. An updated bulletin posted by the British Embassy on Wednesday said terrorists in the country are in the "final stages of planning an attack that could occur anytime". Razon appealed to the general public to remain "vigilant" throughout the holiday period.

National police chief Arturo Lomibao has also appealed to transport operators not to let passengers’ board vehicles and vessels without having their baggage inspected.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2005-daily/24-03-2005/world/w7.htm

[Petronas]

Indonesia, Philippines on alert for Easter
Saturday, March 26, 2005

JAKARTA: Indonesia and the Philippines were Friday on alert for Islamic militant attacks aimed to disrupt Christian celebrations of Easter while foreigners were warned over their safety. Police in both countries said they were hunting for radicals connected to Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf, two leading Southeast Asian extremist outfits both believed to have ties to Al Qaeda, after a foiled bomb plot.

Meanwhile, Britain, Japan and the United States have all issued warnings advising their citizens to exercise caution in Indonesia and the Philippines or stay away amid a heightened risk of attack and kidnapping. Military sources in Manila said some 10 Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf militants were on the loose and could hit targets across the Philippines after authorities uncovered a plot to bomb “soft targets” in the capital over Easter. Their warning came after the arrest of two extremists from both groups earlier this week and the seizure of 10 sacks of explosives.

One of the detainees, an Indonesian alleged bomb maker identified as Rohmat told reporters after his arrest that the Abu Sayyaf were plotting major attacks in the southern cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro in addition to Manila. Some 15,000 police officers were deployed across Manila to guard vital installations while personnel were on guard at churches around the predominantly Catholic country.

In the northern Philippine village of Cutud, where thousands of tourists converged to witness a bloody ritual of Christian penitents being nailed to the cross, police armed with assault rifles were patrolling the streets. The British embassy in Manila has issued a warning that terrorists in the country were in the “final stages of planning an attack that could occur any time.”

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-3-2005_pg4_6

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the following travel advice on 22 December 2005: "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. ..."

AIR SECURITY International - HOT SPOTS 12/22/2005

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): The U.S. Embassy in Manila issued the following Warden Message on 10 October 2006: "The Embassy has received credible information that a terrorist group may be planning to carry out bombing attacks on the island of Mindanao, Philippines over the next several days. Specifically, attacks may be carried out in cities located within Central Mindanao; although there is no specific targeting information, US citizens should avoid travel to that area. …"

http://www.asigroup.com/HOTSPOTS.asp

[JaneDoe]

U.S. warns of attacks in Philippines
Big News Network
Wednesday 11th October, 2006 (UPI)

Australia and the United States both issued warnings on travel to the Philippines a few hours before a bomb blast that killed 12 people, a report said.

The U.S. embassy in Manila put a notice on its Web site saying there was credible intelligence of plans for attacks in Mindanao, the Philippine Star reported. Australia warned travelers that Manila might be a target.

The bombing occurred in Makilala, North Cotabato, which was celebrating its founding. Local officials said that a mortar rigged with a timing device was placed along a path near the town plaza.

The bombing left 42 people injured.

The alerts followed the arrest in the Philippines of Istiada Binti Oemar Sovie, wife of Dulmatin, a suspected Indonesian terrorist. Dulmatin is suspected of involvement in the deadly 2002 bombing of a nightclub in Bali.

SOURCE (http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/a5c1ffc00cd777ec/)


Fresh blast as Philippines blames rebels for bombs
11 Oct 2006 09:26:43 GMT

By Manny Mogato

MANILA, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Philippine officials blamed a group of Muslim rebels for two explosions that killed six people on the southern island of Mindanao on Tuesday, as another bomb went off on Wednesday without causing any casualties.

A military spokesman said two army commandos were killed and nine wounded in new clashes on the remote southwestern island of Jolo on Wednesday, as troops stepped up an offensive against a violent group of militants.

Late on Tuesday, six people were killed and about 30 wounded in Makilala town, with four wounded earlier in the day by an explosion at a public market in Tacurong city.

Police said a bomb went off on Wednesday around midday near a bank and a shopping mall in central Cotabato city, while the army found a second device in Makilala that failed to explode.

Emmanuel Pinol, governor of North Cotabato province, put the blame on members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group in the mainly Roman Catholic country that is in protracted peace talks with the government.

He said the bomb used in Makilala "had all the signatures of the MILF", citing similarities to past attacks in the south.

"I'm deeply disappointed because we are talking, we have been communicating and they promised not to use violence in pursuit of their cause," Pinol told reporters.

All four bombs were made from 81-mm mortar shells detonated by mobile phones, security forces said.

Army bomb experts said the unexploded device in Makilala was attached to a mobile phone that showed 20 missed calls when it was found in a bag near a bar where the bomb went off on Tuesday during a crowded festival to mark the town's founding.

Colonel Ruperto Pabustan, a brigade commander, said on Tuesday a rogue faction within the MILF, suspected of close links with local rebel group Abu Sayyaf and regional militants from Jemaah Islamiah, could have planted the bombs in Makilala and Tacurong.

MILF DENIAL

Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the MILF, denied his group had any role in the Makilala and Tacurong attacks.

FULL STORY (http://www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/thenews/newsdesk/SP127332.htm)

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): The British Foreign Commonwealth Office issued the following travel advice for the Philippines on 16 October 2006: "We advise against all travel to the province of Mindanao. We believe that terrorists are in the final stages of planning further attacks. On 10 October 2006, there were two explosions in Mindanao, killing six and wounding 34. On 11 October 2006, there was another explosion in Mindanao, causing no injuries. We also advise against all travel to the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo, where there are ongoing military and police operations against insurgent groups.

"There is a threat of kidnapping throughout the Philippines. We continue to believe that terrorists and criminal elements plan to kidnap foreign tourists from islands and coastal areas in the southern Philippines - ie Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Kidnappings from other parts of the Philippines cannot be discounted. Boats travelling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. …"

http://www.asigroup.com/HOTSPOTS.asp

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): On 31 October 2006, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the following advice for the Philippines: "We strongly advise you not to travel to mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago regions of Mindanao, including Basilan, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping (see map), and related counter-terrorism operations. If you are in these areas you should consider leaving.

"Recent credible reporting indicates terrorists may be in the advanced stages of planning to attack places frequented by foreigners. These reports indicate that attacks are imminent and could occur at any time. ...

"Further attacks are likely. These attacks could occur on days of religious significance such as All Saints Day or All Souls Day on 1 and 2 November 2006. ..."

http://www.asigroup.com/HOTSPOTS.asp

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): Several Western governments issued travel advisories on 7 December 2006, warning their citizens of a possible plot to conduct terrorist attacks in Cebu during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The warnings claim that there is credible evidence suggesting that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks; however, they do not contain specific details. The warnings come a day after Philippine military officials announced increased security measures in Cebu for the duration of the summit. They denied having any information indicating that a terrorist attack was imminent but increased security solely as a precaution. In response to the Western governments' travel advisories, Philippine government officials again stated that there were no specific threats against facilities in Cebu during the summit, which will be held on 11-13 December. Please see the Government Warnings section below for additional details.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

On 7 December 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Manila issued the following Warden Message: "The Embassy wishes to inform U.S. citizens that three large international conferences will take place in Cebu City, the Philippines, during December. Hotel space will be scarce, traffic is expected to be congested, and services to Americans may be limited, including at the U.S. Consular Agency located at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

"It is possible that the presence of large international gatherings could attract demonstrations. As a reminder, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of any demonstrations that may occur, if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

"Additionally, the Embassy has information that a terrorist group may be planning to carry out bombing attacks on the island of Cebu, Philippines. Although the information does not specify a particular location, U.S. citizens should avoid travel to the island of Cebu. "

http://www.asigroup.com/HOTSPOTS.asp

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): On 11 January 2007, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the following travel advisory for the Philippines: "On 5 January 2007 a bomb exploded in South Cotabato and another exploded in a shopping mall in Cotabato City on 11 October 2006. Two other explosions occurred on 10 October 2006, the first in Tacurong (near Isulan) and the second in Makilala, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries. These attacks underline the ongoing terrorist threat in the region. Further attacks are likely. Possible targets include places of worship, restaurants, shopping malls including Mega Malls, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bars or clubs in major population centres, including but not limited to Davao City, Carmen, Isulan, Kidapawan, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Cotabato City, Maganoy and Pagadian. If you are in these areas you should consider leaving. …"

http://www.asigroup.com/HOTSPOTS.asp

[Petronas]

P.I. police boost bus terminal security
2/16/2007 1:43:00 PM -0500

Philippine police have been deployed to bus terminals on the Zamboanga peninsula in the south of the country amid a threat of terrorist bombings. The Philippine Star said military and civilian law enforcement authorities on the island of Mindanao confirmed the threat and were attempting to discover which specific terrorist group was targeting unidentified bus companies operating in the region.

Suspected groups, however, include Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist organization with ties to al-Qaida. Leaders of Abu Sayyaf, together with some members of the Indonesia-based Jemma Islamiya traveling with them, are targets of a concerted military offensive. The police director for western Mindanao, Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, speculated terror attacks could be used to divert attention and resources from the manhunt, which currently involves more than 7,000 troops.

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20070216-012521-3348r

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): Police officials were placed on heightened alert in Mindanao on 23 March 2007 amid intelligence reports of a possible plot to conduct suicide bombings. According to media reports, members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) are planning to conduct seven suicide car bombings in North Cotabato, South Cotabato and Parang. No additional information is available.

http://www.asigroup.com/HOTSPOTS.asp