RP embassies tighten security following terror threat

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has directed all Philippine missions abroad to heighten security measures after the embassy in Stockholm, Sweden received a faxed threat of attacks against members of the "coalition of the willing."

Romulo sent a fax circular yesterday to all Philippine diplomatic posts reminding the country’s ambassadors and consuls general to "take all necessary precaution for (their) personnel and premises against possible terrorist attacks" as contained in a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) circular dated Oct. 25, 2002.

Romulo’s circular also instructed the embassies and consulates to take steps to augment security measures for all Filipinos in their areas of jurisdiction if warranted.

"The security instruction (is) already in place and all foreign service personnel are reminded to be always aware of the measures being implemented by the embassies and consulates," he said.

DFA Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin confirmed in a briefing that the Philippine embassy in Stockholm received a faxed letter containing a threat written in Arabic to the United States and the 33 members of the coalition.

Ambassador to Sweden Victoria Bataclan informed the DFA that, based on the translation of the letter, the sender appears to show support for radical Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr.

The letter was addressed to US President George W. Bush and members of the coalition that occupied Iraq. It warned of military action against the embassies of coalition members worldwide.

Despite the declaration made by the US that the Philippines is no longer a member of the coalition in Iraq after pulling out its peacekeeping contingent in Iraq to accede to the demands of truck driver Angelo de la Cruz’s terrorist captors to secure his release, the threat included the Philippines.

Other foreign embassies in Sweden have also confirmed receipt of the faxed letter. The facsimile message also said copies have been sent to Al-Sadr and imams in Europe.

Ebdalin said that, based on the area code of the fax number from which the threat was transmitted, the fax was sent from Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden.

Bataclan has already informed the Swedish police of the threat received by the Philippine embassy in Stockholm.