Police tracking down intelligence tip on Manila terror plot

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine authorities are verifying an intelligence report seen by The Associated Press that a top Asian terrorist suspect and the notorious Abu Sayyaf extremist group have sent militants to bomb targets in the capital, Manila.

Military and police intelligence officials said Thursday that they are taking the report seriously, although it remains unsubstantiated and comes from only one source. They say intelligence operatives have been deployed in metropolitan Manila to thwart any attack.

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday renewed its travel warning for the Philippines, saying terrorist attacks could occur in the restive southern Mindanao region and even in Manila. The U.S. Embassy did not cite any specific reason for the latest warning.