JI threat shut down Canada Embassy

The Canadian Embassy in Makati City closed last week due to a "credible" threat from the Indonesia-based Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

"(We) had dinner with officials of the Canadian Embassy on the night before the closure… They told us they would be closing the embassy after receiving a specific report that they were being targeted by the JI," NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said.

Wycoco told reporters he was assured that the embassy would reopen once the threat had passed.

"They had a credible reason to close the embassy. They just took precautionary measures. We cannot blame them for protecting their property," he said.

Wycoco said the embassy was in "constant touch" with the Philippine National Police.

Citing intelligence reports received by the NBI, Wycoco said Jemaah Islamiyah had been trying "very hard" to hit several targets in Metro Manila but was thwarted by tight security measures.

He did not elaborate.

Last Thursday, the embassies of Canada, Australia and the European Union shut down, taking the Philippine government by surprise.

Canadian Embassy Counselor Heather Forton said they received a "specific and credible threat" and that they would "reopen when we feel that there is no longer a threat to our operation."

The Canadian government website said in an advisory issued Wednesday that "Canadians should not travel to the Philippines until further notice."

A taped message greeted callers of the Canadian Embassy, saying it would be closed temporarily and asked its citizens to call a 1-800 number to its nationals (1800-1110-0226).

Despite the closure, the embassy "continues to provide most services," Canadian Ambassador Robert Collette announced yesterday in a press statement.

"During the temporary closure of the Chancery, the visa section will be unable to process visitor and immigrant applications until the Chancery reopens. All passports received in connection with visa applications are being returned to individuals," the statement said.

Because of that "alternative arrangements have been made to assist individuals wishing to visit Canada from the Philippines. Visitor visa applications can be submitted to one of the following visa offices in the region: Hong Kong, Singapore, or Tokyo."