The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Thursday said that it had stepped up security measures in Metro Manila, particularly the country's financial district, to prevent possible terrorist attacks in business and financial establishments in the light of fresh terrorist threats.

Chief of the AFP's National Capital Region Command Alberto Braganza said that two teams of Marine operatives had been deployed in Makati city to conduct regular patrol operations and coordinate with the police contingent there.

"This is part of routine inspection to ensure that we adopt stricter security measures. We have to remind our troops to institute stricter measures in the light of persistent reports on terrorist threats not only here but also abroad," Braganza said.

Braganza also said that more military and police personnel willbe deployed in crowded areas such as malls and bus stations, and in the various ports in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

On Tuesday, Washington raised its alert level to "Orange" afterreceiving intelligence reports that al-Qaeda is planning to attackfinancial establishments in the capital and in New York City, including the offices of World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the New York Stock Exchange.

AFP Chief of Staff Narciso Abaya said that they have not received similar reports but stressed that they would still increase their vigilance.

Despite admission that the government's anti-terrorism drive has been successful with the arrest of several local and foreign terrorists, Abaya admitted that the terror threat in the country had not subsided.

The chief of staff said in a Wednesday press briefing that theyare looking for three more members of the regional terrorist groupJemaah Islamiyah in the country who were responsible for the Dec. 30 bombings in 2000 that killed 22 people and injured hundreds.

Source: Xinhua