Palace: PHL ready for al Qaeda’s revenge threat

The Philippines had expected and is ready to deal with so-called retaliatory attacks by the al Qaeda terrorist network on the United States and its allies, Malacañang said Saturday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said al Qaeda had been “expected" to issue some sort of retaliatory threat after the death of its leader Osama bin Laden. “I think, to some extent, it was expected they would issue some sort of retaliatory threat. For our part handa naman tayo (we are ready). Our security forces are on alert for any possible retaliation, not in particular to us but in general as well," she said on government-run dzRB radio. Al Qaeda, which confirmed the death of bin Laden, had vowed revenge on the United States and its allies, including Pakistan. Bin Laden’s al Qaeda group was linked to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. Earlier, new Metro Manila police head Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima said there is no specific threat yet of any retaliatory or sympathy attack by al Qaeda allies in Metro Manila. But Purisima said he still wants his men prepared for any eventuality. On Friday, Purisima conducted a surprise inspection of vital installations in Metro Manila, including the United States Embassy and the Pier area. For her part, Valte declined to elaborate on whether the threats the Philippines expects will be limited to American nationals. She said she would rather leave the question for officials from the National Security Council to answer. “Siguro, mas mabuti sa ating security forces sumagot niyan (It would be better if our security forces answer that)," she said. — LBG, GMA News