MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Shoppers in the Philippine capital of Manila have become cautious about getting into major malls following a text message allegedly sent by a terrorist group threatening to bomb malls.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines clarified that the text message was a hoax and assured the public that Manila is not facing any specific threats.
The text message, allegedly sent by terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, advised the public to stay away from malls this week and to warm loved ones about the threat.
The text message added that the Abu Sayyaf will stage the bombings if a mall chain in the Philippines will not give in to the group’s USD15 million demand.
The military, however, said the text message is a hoax.
“We have not monitored any report that the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are in Metro Manila. Our reports said they are still in Central Mindanao and Sulu,” Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala Jr. said in a press conference. – BusinessNewsAsiacom