25 February 2016•Update: 25 February 2016
By Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA, the Philippines
Authorities in the Philippines are reported to have received information of an alleged plot to hijack or bomb a Saudi Arabian plane by a group seeking to avenge the execution of a religious leader.
The Manila Times quoted a local unnamed airline source as saying this week that the plot involved the bombing or hijacking of the aircraft somewhere in Southeast Asia.
The claim follows condemnation of the Kingdom by the Iranian government and religious leaders across the Middle East following its execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.
The Times reported that the source had confirmed that the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the Philippines had informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that government intelligence had received information that “Iranian Revolutionary Guards” were allegedly preparing to carry out the attack.
"The plot has reached the 'advanced stage'," the Daily reported, quoting confidential communication written by a retired admiral on behalf of the Foreign Affairs secretary, dated January this year.
"Implementing and planning team is said to consist of 10 persons, six of them Yemenis tasked to execute the plan, and some of them have already been identified,” it said the communication read.
A statement on the claims sent to Anadolu Agency on Thursday read that information on the alleged plot had been shared with the country's intelligence community for its validation.
"Terrorism is a global scourge and we continue to work with the responsible community of nations in addressing this scourge," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose said.
"The PHL [Philippines] govt continues to conduct threat assessments & will take appropriate measures accordingly."
Saudi Arabian Embassy officials are also reported to have requested that Manila International Airport Authority allow them to put up their own X-ray machines at Philippine international airports used by passengers traveling on the Kingdom's planes.
The Manila Times quoted the source as saying that the request is being reviewed by the related authority.
On Jan. 2, the Saudi Press Agency announced that Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr was one of 47 people executed on terrorism charges.
The Shia Muslim cleric had led mass protests against Saudi authorities in eastern Qatif province before his arrest in July 2012.
He was later convicted of inciting sedition and revolt in a judgment approved by the Supreme Judiciary on Oct. 25.
