US alert warning within its rights - AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): US alert warning within its rights - AFP
 
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday announced that it is within the rights of the US government to alert and warn its citizens about possible security threats in Southern Mindanao.

"(It) is the right of another country to protect their citizens, we respect that and we have already troops on the ground especially in Zamboanga and all over Mindanao that are ready for any contingencies if anything should happen," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

But he stressed that the AFP and the Philippine National Police remains vigilant to preempt possible security threats.

Zagala added that they are still confirm the US threat information with their sources.

The US Embassy in Manila earlier told its citizens that there is a series of credible security threats have been identified in Southern Mindanao.

"In particular, the (US) Embassy is aware of threats in several locales in Region 11 (the Davao Region), Region 12 (North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani), and in Maguindanao. Individuals associated with known extremist and insurgent groups are believed to have been conducting surveillance on a number of public locations in these areas, as possible targets of interest," it added.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests, the US Embassy in Manila stated.

"Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and other destinations, whether frequented by foreigners or locals," it concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=575027