AFP: No Abu Sayyaf terror threat in Metro Manila

THE MILITARY on Tuesday asked the public to stop forwarding a text message about a terror plot in Metro Manila, specifically a threat by the Abu Sayyaf to bomb two giant malls, as it denied that there was such a threat.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, Armed Forces spokesperson, said they have not monitored any such plot from the terrorist group as he asked the public not to believe the circulating text message.

The text message went: “Got a message from a direct reliable source from SM that Abu Sayyaf is asking for $15 million from SM otherwise pasasabugin daw [they will blow up] one of their malls. SM North and SM Southmall was especially mentioned. They have one week to pay so please stay away from SM malls for a week. They are on high alert right now but better…safe than sorry.”

It started circulating on Monday, a day after the military confirmed the killing of wanted Filipino terrorist and bomb expert Abdul Basit Usman in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

Reports said the SM management had also denied there was such a threat as it asked police officials to look into the source of the text message.