U.S., Australia warn of imminent terrorist attacks in Philippines

The United States Embassy in Manila Tuesday said it received credible information that terrorists will stages bombing attacks in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao in the coming days.

The embassy warned American citizens in the Philippines to avoid travel to Mindanao due to threats of possible terror attacks, while American citizens residing and or working in the said area were urged to keep a low profile and reassess their personal safety.

The embassy also advised U.S. citizens to avoid going to public places that cater to Westerners in Philippine cities.

Earlier on Tuesday, an improvised bomb exploded in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, 800 kilometers south of Manila, injuring four people.

A suspect has been arrested by the police, who do not rule out terrorism as motive for the explosion.

Australia Tuesday also warned its citizens to avoid going to parts of the Philippines, citing credible reports that attacks could take place soon in places frequented by foreigners.

The Australian Foreign Department said Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago are the places most likely to be targeted by terrorists.

The Philippine military recently arrested the wife of an Indonesian terrorist in Sulu and claimed several members of the Jemaah Islamyah group are now in the island province with the Abu Sayyaf rebels.

The military has been launching a military operation against the rebels in Sulu since early August, in a bid to capture the JI members and some key Abu Sayyaf leaders.

Source: Xinhua