Manila - Philippine security forces arrested two suspected terrorists allegedly planning to set off bombs in shopping malls, bus stations and other populated areas in the capital, officials said Monday. Sala Kasan Bairulla and his son Albasher were arrested last Friday in a warehouse in the Manila suburb of Taguig.
Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, spokesman for the Anti-Terrorism Council, said a homemade bomb, a pistol, ammunition and a grenade were seized in the raid.
He called for citizen's to help authorities locate terrorists.
"The efforts of our operating units under the military and the police would be greatly enhanced with a vigilant citizenry providing genuine, timely and relevant information on terrorists' plans and plots," he said.
Military spokesman Colonel Ernesto Torres said the seized bomb could have had a casualty radius of up to 200 metres.
"If detonated, it could have severely caused the loss of lives and properties," he said. "We received a warning three weeks ago that some groups might be moving to conduct terrorism on malls and public transport facilities.
The arrest prompted the Australian embassy in Manila to issue a travel advisory, warning of "high" threats of terrorist attacks "anytime, anywhere in the Philippines, including Manila."
"We continue to receive credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners," the advisory said.
It added that possible targets include shopping malls, markets, embassies, expatriate housing complexes, hostels, guest houses, clubs, hotels, restaurants, bars, cinemas, public transport, places of worship and even schools.
