US warns citizens against attacks in Metro

US Ambassador Harry Thomas. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The United States Embassy in Manila on Friday warned US citizens in Metro Manila that they could be the target of an unspecified attack and urged them to exercise extreme caution and avoid any American gatherings.

“The US Embassy advises American citizens in the Philippines that a threat against American citizens in metropolitan Manila, specifically the Pasay City neighborhood, has been detected by reliable security forces,” the statement said.

“This threat remains in effect until Oct. 10, 2012,” it added, but did not describe the nature of the threat or say where the information came from.

In response to the threat, US Ambassador Harry Thomas has ordered that security for all US government facilities in Manila be augmented.

The security advisory was posted on the US State Department website and disseminated through Facebook and Twitter.

The US Embassy urged American citizens to report “any perceived security concern” to Philippine authorities.

Embassy officials did not reply to queries on the specific threats to Pasay City which hosts the US Embassy’s annex, also known as the “Seafront property,” along Roxas Boulevard.

Pasay also hosts government establishments such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex; the Department of Foreign Affairs, Light Rail Transit terminal, Villamor Air Base, the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force; and the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex which includes the Senate building, and the Philippine International Convention Center, among others.

The city also hosts the Japanese Embassy and popular establishments such as the SM Mall of Asia, the Cuneta Astrodome sports arena, and several five-star hotels.