Manila Embassies Closed After Threats

Australia and Canada closed their embassies in Manila today after receiving "credible" terror threats, prompting Philippine authorities to tighten security in the capital, which has recently been hit by bombings.

Armed police closed streets, set up barricades and circled the Australian embassy after the country's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, said Canberra had received a "very specific" intelligence report last night warning of threats by Islamist militants.

Mr Downer told Australian radio that the threat was "not only location specific, targeting the Australian embassy itself, but also it's time specific in the sense that we are talking over the next few days".

The EU also shut its office, in the same building as the Australian embassy. However, there was no immediate sign of an increased police presence outside the Canadian mission.

The Philippine national security adviser, Roilo Golez, told reporters his government was unaware of specific threats, but was working to clarify the situation.

"We have not received any information that would indicate they are under any threat," Mr Golez said. "We have been working very closely with the two ambassadors ... so that we can seek more clarification."

The Philippines has been contending for years with Islamist guerrillas in the south of the country, and there have been sporadic bombing attacks both there and in Manila, including blasts last month that killed 12 people.

Philippine business leaders voiced concerns that the closures could scare off investors, and some politicians said Australia and Canada might have overblown their fears.

The Philippine senate president, Franklin Drilon, said: "I believe that there is some degree of overacting on their part, but that is a decision that we must respect, as this is a matter concerning their security."

Australia would keep the embassy closed at least through Monday, according to an Australian defence attache in Manila, Air Force Captain Greg Sutton.

Canada shut its embassy indefinitely because of a "specific and credible threat", according to spokeswoman Heather Forton in Manila.

The US embassy was closed today for the American thanksgiving holiday, but would open as usual tomorrow, spokeswoman Karen Kelley said. No extra security precautions were being taken in response to the threats against Australia and Canada, she added.

A Philippine department of foreign affairs statement alluded to last month's terror attacks in Bali, which killed almost 200 people, mostly Australians.

"We Filipinos can't help but continue commiserating with our Australian friends," the statement said, adding that the nation would maintain vigilance "against threats to public safety - real or imagined, credible or even just remotely so - particularly when these threats might extend to civilians and other innocents".