February 22, 2010 STRATFOR:
An army spokesman said Philippine security forces went on high alert in the capital, bracing for potential bomb attacks from an al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group to avenge the death of a senior rebel leader, Reuters reported Feb. 22. Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner stated that the army and police were monitoring the movements of militants in Manila, closely coordinating with police in the national capital region to thwart any potential Abu Sayyaf attacks. He added that there is a small militant cell operating in Manila.
