RP seeks to ease fear of U.S. attack

RP seeks to ease fear of U.S. attack

MANILA (DPA): National security officials sought yesterday to ease the fears of some Philippine politicians that the United States might attack suspected terrorist bases in the Philippines.

"Bombing us is very remote," said National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre. "The United States will not do that. We are allies."

Several lawmakers have expressed fears of a U.S. attack in the wake of reports that Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden, the shadowy terrorist financier who allegedly masterminded the bombing of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, had visited rebel bases in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it was bin Laden's brother-in-law, Muhammad Jammal al Khalifa, who had been seen in Mindanao several years ago, not bin Laden.