Posted on 09/09/2002 8:35:11 PM PDT by grimalkin
MANILA, Philippines, Sep 09, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- The Philippines is securing possible terror targets after a suspected al-Qaida member reportedly revealed a new plot to carry out attacks in the country, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said Tuesday.
Mohammed Mansour Jabarah, a Canadian arrested because of alleged links to al-Qaida, reportedly told U.S. interrogators the terror group has plotted to attack unspecified targets in the Philippines, Reyes said.
"He's an arrested terrorist and comes with excellent credentials," Reyes told the Associated Press. "We have to take the threat very seriously."
Reyes did not clearly say how he learned of the threat.
Philippine officials said security has been strengthened at embassies, airports, power plants, telecommunications facilities and vital infrastructure ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. They did not cite any specific threat.
A CNN report said Philippine officials were notified by U.S. security about Jabarah, who reportedly revealed that al-Qaida planned to attack the U.S. and Israeli embassies in the Philippines after a plot to bomb Western targets in Singapore was discovered and foiled by authorities early this year.
"The specific targets were not specified to me," Reyes told DZRH radio. "What was just said was there were certain targets and so we are taking care of these... likely targets."
U.S. officials declined to comment Monday on the reported threat on potential targets in Manila.
The Philippines is on of the staunchest allies of the United States in Southeast Asia.
Jabarah was arrested in Oman this year and later brought and detained by the military in the northeastern United States. Law enforcement officials believe he directed an al-Qaida plot to destroy the American Embassy and other Western targets in Singapore, officials have said.
Singaporean officials announced in January it had foiled a plot by terrorists linked to al-Qaida to blow up Western embassies, U.S. Navy vessels, a shuttle bus carrying American soldiers and the offices of U.S. companies.
NBC News reported in July that Jabarah admitted to directing the al-Qaida plot to blow up government buildings in Singapore and making a video of the targets.
NBC added that Jabarah was cooperating by providing new information about al-Qaida's operations, including terrorist plans drawn up since Sept. 11. He has agreed to testify in future trials of suspected al-Qaida members, according to NBC.
The U.S. administration has argued it has the right to hold suspects of terrorism indefinitely and in secret. The U.S. military can hold detainees for the duration of the war, the Bush administration contends, and at any time a military tribunal can try suspects.
By JIM GOMEZ Associated Press Writer
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.