Terror threat on Saudi carriers bared

MANILA, Philippines – The threat of terrorist attack on Saudi Arabian airliners in Southeast Asia is real, eminent, and allegedly in the final stage of implementation, which reportedly includes the hijacking or bombing of Saudi aircraft.

The Saudi Arabian embassy in Manila notified the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Saudi government received from concerned authorities that the “Iranian Revolutionary Guards” are allegedly initiating and supervising a plan to hijack or bomb a Saudi Arabian airplane.

The STAR was able to view the “confidential information” from an airport insider who showed an “extremely urgent” note verbale from the Saudi Arabian embassy addressed to the DFA’s Intelligence and Security Unit dated Jan. 22, 2016, requesting the installation of X-ray machines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for flights from Manila to Saudi and vice versa.

According to the note, the terrorists are reportedly in Southeast Asia. The team – consisting of 10 persons, including six Yemenis – were tasked to execute the plan.

The note stated that six of the terrorists have been identified and authorities believe they left for East Asia through Turkey on two separate flights to execute the plan.

While their names have been withheld from media, immigration officials have been alerted to their entry into the country.

The terror plot may be launched in Southeast Asia, most likely in Malaysia, Indonesia or the Philippines, the source said.

The Manila International Airport Authority has coordinated with the Office of Transportation Security, whose personnel are responsible for examining the luggage of passengers.

Last month, Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic ties with Iran after an attack on its embassy in Tehran following the kingdom’s recent execution of Shiite religious leader in Saudi.

Saudi also suspended all flights of its airliners to and from Iran.