The Jakarta Post, 9/6/2006 11:34:30 AM
Philippine general says southern cities on alert over possible
terror attacks
MANILA (AP): A regional military commander said Wednesday he has alerted key
southern Philippine cities to intelligence reports indicating al-Qaeda-linked militants
could be plotting bomb attacks.
The bombings allegedly planned by the Abu Sayyaf could be aimed at extorting
money from businesses or diverting the military's focus from monthlong U.S.-backed
offensives againstthe rebel group and Indonesian militants on southern Jolo island,
Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said.
Security also needed to be bolstered ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001,
attacks, which could encourage terrorists to strike, according to Cedo, head of the
military's Western Mindanao Command.
Intelligence gathered by the military did not identify any specific targets, but Cedo
said the militants usually strike in prominent urban centers, like the southern port city
of Zamboanga.
A military counterterrorism force has asked security guards in gas stations and
shopping malls in Zamboanga to be on alert. Troops also went on alert in a number of
other cities, he said.
"It could be extortion but informants were telling us this group may resort to
diversionary tactics to try to influence our positioning of troops," Cedo said.
Six marines were killed and 19 others wounded Monday in one of biggest recent
battles against the Abu Sayyaf on Jolo island.
The offensive was prompted by the recent sightings of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafy
Janjalani and two Indonesian militants who are wanted for allegedly helping plan the
2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia that killed 202 people. (***)
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