By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA — Filipinos in the United Kingdom were urged to be vigilant after British authorities raised the threat level from international terrorism in the UK and Northern Ireland from “substantial” to “severe,” the fourth highest of five levels.
Based on UK classification, the advisory, raised on Aug. 29, means that a terrorist attack is highly likely.
Authorities, however, also noted that while an attack is likely, there is no specific intelligence that an attack is imminent.
The threat of international terrorism came from a diverse range of sources, including al-Qaeda and associated networks, and those who share al-Qaeda’s ideology but do not have direct contact with them.
A threat could manifest itself from a lone individual or a group rather than a larger network.
Domestic terrorism related to Northern Ireland, principally from Republican terrorist groups, also remains a threat.
In view of this, the Philippine Embassy in London urged the Filipino community in UK and Northern Ireland to heed the British government warnings and to monitor information channels and the general media for updates on the situation./PN
