Report: LTO inspects bus terminals amid terror threats

Amid the threat of a terror attack on the Philippines, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started inspecting buses and bus terminals for possible terrorists and explosives. Radio dzBB on Friday quoted LTO spokesman Roberto Ricohermoso as saying the inspections will zero in on province-bound buses. According to Ricohermoso, the move aims to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) thwart any possible terror attack. He also appealed to commuters taking the buses for understanding. He asked them not to panic, saying the inspections are only a precautionary measure. The government is trying to allay fears of a terror attack on the Philippines, after at least six countries issued travel advisories against the Philippines. The countries that already issued such alerts included France, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Government's displeasure The government will express its displeasure over the travel warnings issued by five countries, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III said on Thursday, claiming that the advisories did not have “adequate basis." Aquino said the alleged terror threats against the Philippines were probably "blown out of proportion" because the travel advisories were likely based on "raw" data that still had to be validated. The travel advisories were issued against the Philippines this week after alleged “cargo bomb" against the United States were foiled on Friday. Authorities on three continents thwarted multiple terrorist attacks aimed at the United States from Yemen on Friday, seizing two explosive packages addressed to Chicago-area synagogues and packed aboard cargo jets. The plot triggered worldwide fears that al-Qaida was launching a major new terror campaign. The US, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia all recently issued travel advisories warning their citizens of possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines. The US government said the sites targeted by terrorists may include shopping malls, airports, conference centers and other public venues. Aquino said it was a "normal course of action" to ask the embassies of the said foreign governments to reconsider their travel advisories. However, he said the Philippine government will take its actions a step further. “There are certain implications that we're also studying but we will express our displeasure (as) we believe there is no adequate basis," Aquino said in an interview with reporters in Malacañang. –VVP, GMANews.TV