Philippine Police Uncover New Terror Threat

Philippine police says the Indonesia-based militant group, Jemaah Islamiyah, has formed a new terror group in the Philippines that aims to assassinate President Gloria Arroyo and some members of her cabinet. The disclosure comes as Philippine and Australian officials hold a two-day counter-terrorism conference in the Philippine capital, Manila. Philippine police say the new terror group completed its training course in January, and is out to stage bomb attacks and assassinate President Gloria Arroyo and her officials.A reporter in the Philippines says the information is contained in documents intercepted by police. Police have been placed on full alert, while terrorist attack drills have been scheduled in various cities. Meanwhile, security talks are being held in Manila by Philippine and Australian officials. Australia's ambassador for counter-terrorism, Les Luck, who is attending the talks, says Australia fears al Qaeda-linked militants may be using rebel sanctuaries in the Philippines for training, perpetuating the terrorism threat in the region.