Gov’t warns anew vs terror

Southeast Asian successes in the global war on terrorism could lead to "acts of desperation," President Arroyo warned yesterday, urging neighbors to keep up their guard.

"The constriction of terrorist cells across the region could lead to worse acts of desperation," Mrs. Arroyo warned in a statement.

"We must press the hunt and we must not let our guard down. The threat to peace and order should be met with utmost vigilance," she said.

Philippine police have remained on heightened alert following the recent arrest in Thailand of alleged terror kingpin Riduan Isamuddin, also known as Hambali, Philippine National Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said.

Hambali, an Indonesian and an alleged leader of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) group blamed for the deadly Bali bombing last year, was arrested along with his wife in Thailand on Aug. 11.

Mrs. Arroyo said the search for fugitive JI bomber Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi was continuing. The Indonesian convict escaped from a Manila police prison last month.

"We remain on heightened alert," Ebdane told reporters yesterday.

He said he has ordered increased police patrols around giant petroleum depots in central Manila amid fears they could be targeted for a terrorist attack.

"There are no specific threats, but this is part of our contingency plan," Ebdane added. — AFP