>> ASIAONE / NEWS / THE STRAITS TIMES / STORY

Manila foils plot to bomb embassies
Fri, Mar 07, 2008 The Straits Times
MANILA - THE Philippine authorities have arrested three Middle Eastern men suspected of involvement in a plot to bomb four embassies, including that of the US, in Manila, officials said yesterday. 'There is a high probability that they are involved in some kind of plan to sow trouble,' said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on the sidelines of an annual anti-terrorism and business security conference. One suspect was arrested in Manila while the other two were separately captured in southern Philippines recently. Mr Ermita refused to provide details, but two senior Filipino security officials said investigators were verifying intelligence about the plot to bomb the US, British, Australian and Israeli embassies.

Both groups have been blamed for bombings in the past, including the 2004 blast in a ferry in Manila Bay that killed 116 people.

According to a security official, funds for the plot had been secured, indicating that plans to attack any of the embassies may be in an advanced stage.

He said all the embassies concerned have been notified.

At least one of the suspects has identified himself as Jordanian. Investigators are trying to verify their identities.

The two officials were concerned that opposition groups may dismiss the threat as a government effort to justify a heavy military and police presence in the capital while President Gloria Arroyo is grappling with a political crisis over a corruption scandal.

ASSOCIATED PRESS