Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., March 06, 2008 Adar1 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:33 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Security guards protecting the Israeli embassy in Manila, Philippines. (AP) Last update - 14:28 06/03/2008 Three held in Manila over plot to bomb U.S., Israeli embassies By The Associated Press Tags: Israel Embassy, Philippines  Philippine authorities say they have arrested three suspected Middle Eastern militants suspected of involvement in a plot to bomb the Israeli and three other foreign embassies in Manila. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita says one man was arrested in Manila, while the others were separately captured recently in the south. "There is a high probability that they are involved in some kind of plan to sow trouble," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters on the sidelines of an annual anti-terrorism and business security conference. Advertisement One of the militants was arrested in Manila and the two others were separately captured in the southern Philippines recently. Ermita refused to provide details, but two senior Filipino security officials told The Associated Press that investigators were verifying intelligence information that the three may have been involved in an active plot to bomb the U.S., British, Australian and Israeli embassies in Manila. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Efforts to obtain comment from the four embassies were not immediately successful. Australian officials saying they could not comment on security issues. Authorities believe the three may have links with the Indonesia-based militant group Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent southern Philippine-based group blacklisted by Washington as a terror organization. Both groups have been blamed for deadly bomb attacks, including the February 2004 bombing of a ferry in Manila Bay that killed 116 people in the country's worst terrorist attack. Funding for the plot has been secured, indicating that the planned attack against any of the embassies may already be in an advanced stage, one of the security officials said, adding that all the embassies concerned have been notified. At least one of the three suspected militants identified himself as Jordanian, but investigators were trying to verify their identities. One was arrested at a Manila airport Feb. 15 and follow-up operations were under way, he said. The two officials were concerned that the threat could be dismissed by opposition groups as a government effort to justify a heavy military and police presence in the capital while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is grappling with a political crisis over a corruption scandal. One of the officials said there was no indication that the newly uncovered terror plot involved a direct threat against Arroyo. Military and police officials recently said, without elaborating, that they have discovered an assassination plot against the president by terrorists. The Philippines is a key Washington ally in its global war on terrorism. It has allowed U.S. counterterrorism troops to arm and train Filipino soldiers battling al-Qaida-linked militants in the country's south, scene of a decades-long Islamic separatist insurrection. In February, gunmen opened fire near the Israeli embassy in the northwest African country Mauritania. Israeli sources said they believe the embassy was not in fact the target of the attack, but rather an adjacent restaurant frequented by foreign diplomats. The attack followed recent public calls by political parties in Mauritania for the government to sever ties to Jerusalem Authorities arrested and released eight people suspected in connection with the attack. Seven of the detainees, including two Tunisian citizens, were held for 10 days and interrogated before being releasedfor lack of proof, judge Ould Moustapha said. An eighth person was released shortly after his arrest, also because there was not enough evidence to hold him. Al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa claimed responsibility for the shooting attack. Related articles: Israel embassies on high alert following Mughniyah killing Argentina: Iran behind bombs at Israeli embassy, Jewish center Report: Mauritania arrests three in Israeli Embassy shooting Bookmark to del.icio.us   Halimi, relived A Jewish teen is tortured where Ilan Halimi died in similar circumstances. Bus-bomb capital Four buses designed to thwart suicide bombings are tested in J'lem.   1.   The Phillipines has had a problem with MUslims before 12:38  |  Yonatan 06/03/08   2.   ANOTHERcountry learns to its cost about immigrants of M.E.descent 12:51  |  PETER SM 06/03/08   3.   Where is Indraya? Funnt no comment here 17:34  |  Robert/Montreal 06/03/08   4.   PETER SM bomb blast in Times Square at 3:45 AM 18:39  |  Lynn 06/03/08   5.   CIA flight #666 to guantanamo bay 21:01  |  naughty jew 06/03/08

Today Online Olmert: Talks with Syria worth serious consideration Responses: 92 Settlers agree to leave several illegal West Bank outposts Responses: 103 Gaza humanitarian situation said at worst point since 1967 Responses: 197 Soldier killed in strike on IDF jeep near Gaza border Responses: 128 Hamas: Cease-fire deal with Israel must include West Bank Responses: 61 Rosner's Domain What does the American voter want? Dennis Ross: I am not an Obama advisor (WTR) Americans have a favorable view of Israel. Democrats, less so Poll: Should Abbas and Olmert continue their talks? Rosner's Mailbox: McCain is a trimmer Sharon More Headlines 21:33 At least seven killed in terrorist attack at Jerusalem yeshiva 20:57 Four wounded as Qassam rocket hits Sderot home 19:35 Soldier killed, three others hurt in attack on IDF jeep near Gaza border 18:20 Hamas: Cease-fire deal must include West Bank 19:54 Damascus, Tehran sign eight memorandums of understanding 18:08 Those who left Hillary for dead, get ready for a long fight 20:21 Swastika daubed on grave of 18th-century rabbi in Poland 20:50 Who leaked the details of a CIA-Mossad plot against Iran? 18:27 U.K. Jewish school sued for barring pupil over conversion 20:53 UN Human Rights Council condemns IDF actions in Gaza 12:33 Barak refuses to exempt 1,000 Haredi men from army service Previous Editions Select Day 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved