MANILA, July 12 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The Philippines has gone on alert following reports that a group it says is possibly linked to Osama bin Laden, the dissident Saudi billionaire, might by trying to enter into the country in an attempt to attack the U.S. and Israeli embassies there.
More than eighty airports in the country are on high alert even though the military and government have not confirmed the reports, provided by intelligence information shared by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Aviation Security Group Chief Marcelo Ele said that airport authorities were told to closely watch all ports of entry for members of "terrorist" groups.
A much-hyped anti-Osama bin Laden frenzy in the Philippines has been dragging on for a week with various reports stating that he is supporting the Abu Sayyaf, with more recent reports alleging that 50 members of the group are currently undergoing training in Afghanistan.
Military sources in the Philippines said they were certain the Saudi billionaire has assisted the Abu Sayyaf over the past few years and has even alleged that bin Laden has sanctioned the killing of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
A Lebanese national by the name of Ahmad Yasser Ismail is suspected of planning to enter the Philippines and carry out the alleged attacks, directed towards several U.S. and Israeli targets.
Other foreign-based "terrorists", such as members of organized crime syndicates from Japan, as well as other extremist groups, are also on the watch list.
The alert was consistent with previous reports from the Philippines that bin Laden, believed to be in exile in Afghanistan, has vowed to attack U.S., as well as its allies, targets.
Immigration authorities reportedly turned back 21 Arab nationals and Afghanis who wanted to proceed to Mindanao because of questions related to their travel documentation.
In addition, bombings in Manila in December 2000 were linked to foreigners believed to be from Iran.
Late in June, the United States took steps to counter what it called "threats from extremists", saying its military forces in the Persian Gulf were on highest alert and warned Americans traveling abroad that they could be at risk.
The U.S. State Department issued the worldwide caution following the indictment of 14 people for the 1996 bombing which killed 19 American servicemen at a military housing complex - Khobar Towers - in eastern Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. also suspects bin Laden of involvement in the bombing of U.S. embassies in Africa in 1997. A New York court has convicted and sentenced some suspected associates of bin Laden for the bombing.
The United States has also warned Afghanistan that the Taliban leadership would be held responsible for any attack on U.S. targets by bin Laden.
The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan has given assurances that the Saudi exile would not be allowed to plan hostile attacks while living in Afghanistan as its guest.
