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Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Arroyo issues alert on eve of Sept. 11 terror attacks anniversary (10:15 am)
MANILA -- President Arroyo placed the nation on alert Wednesday for possible terrorist attempts to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
"The anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy reminds us that we should not take the threat of terrorism lightly for we know that there are still a number of terror groups waiting for a chance to strike," Arroyo warned in a statement.
"We must always remember the time-honored principle that the price of freedom is perpetual vigilance," she said. "We must never let down our guard against terrorists who strike when least expected."
The Philippines is a key ally of the United States in its global campaign against terror, and there have been concerns the country has become a target for terrorist groups in Southeast Asia.
Arroyo's statement came a day after security forces were placed on high alert to thwart possible retaliatory attacks from local Muslim radicals following the recent arrest in Thailand of al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operations chief Hambali.
Elite anti-terror police units have also been placed around Manila, the military said.
The JI is said to be Southeast Asian arm of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network blamed for the US attacks in 2001 as well as the bombings in Bali that killed more than 200 people last year.
"We are on alert for possible retaliation (because) of the capture of Hambali. So we heightened our alert level to blue. It's actually aimed at preparing for any terrorist activity," military spokesman Daniel Lucero said on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Lucero said at least 2,000 troops were on the heels of Hambali associate Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, an Indonesian member of the JI who escaped from a Manila jail in July.
Both men had planned a spate of bombings in Manila in December 2000 that killed over 20 people, according to police. AFP
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