Mabanta said the terror threat is real and it has been there since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States. However, he added, that “at this point there is no immediate danger which calls for immediate actions.”

He said there could be an exception in areas where international terrorist Omar Patek could be hiding in the south.

Mabanta, at the same time, said the possibility of international terrorist bomb experts affiliated with the Jemaah Islamiyah group is not far-fetched, saying: “In the past there were contacts and we will not be surprised if there will be similar contacts in the future or presently. This has been done and it can be done again.”

On reports about the alleged presence of 10 foreign nationals believed to be members of an international terror group in the country, Mabanta said these are raw information that still need to be verified.

“At this point, we like to categorically state that there are no intelligence reports which state that terrorist groups have gone into the country. However, as we always say, it is important to be vigilant, it's important for the citizenry to be united because after Sept 11 things have not been the same, and things have not been the same also in the Philippines after the 9/11 terror attack in the US.

He said that particular event “was a realization that terrorists can initiate anything if there's a will and this includes, as well all know, suicide.”

“It's a reality… it happened in a highly-industrialized country like the US and with that in mind, it can happen again," according to the AFP spokesman.

“We have all sorts of raw reports… we have several of these but these are raw reports. But these are raw reports… we have several of these raw reports… but these need to be verified to be turned into usable intelligence information," said Mabanta. He added these kinds of reports have been coming in even before the terrorist plot against the US was uncovered.

He went on to say that reports like that of Prof. Rommel Banlaoi of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research (PIPVTR) should not be taken for granted. “In fact they should be taken into cognizance as they may lead to something substantive later on.”

Banlaoi was earlier reported to have said at least 10 JI-linked foreign terrorists have slipped into the country and were meeting with the ASG.

But again, Mabanta said these are just raw information and it needs to be validated before it becomes usable intelligence.

Mabanta said the AFP continues to collaborate and coordinate with various sectors to be able to get added information.

On the claims of former PNP intelligence chief, retired Chief Superintendent Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza Jr., that terrorists are planning to attack vital government installations and tourist areas in Metro Manila and other places in the country, Mabanta said:

“Well, we all know Boogie Mendoza. He had performed credibly when he was still in the service. But he has retired and at this point I don't think he is able to access the same intelligence agents that he used to have during his time as a police officer.”

Elena Aben, Manila Bulletin