Kidnap Threat in Philippines

(Manila, Philippines) This warning is from the U.S. Embassy in Manila. It's not up yet on the State Department website.

The US embassy has warned that extremists could be plotting to kidnap Americans and other foreigners in a southern Philippine city where US counterterrorism troops are based.

The embassy said it has sent email alerts to all Americans living in the archipelago nation about the threat by “extremist elements” targeting the port city of Zamboanga.

More than 100,000 US citizens are known to be based in this former US colony.

“The US Embassy has received information that extremist elements may be planning to kidnap Americans or other foreigners at hotels or other public places in the Zamboanga City area,” the message posted Tuesday on its website said. No other details were disclosed.

"Extremist elements" are generally defined as Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerillas linked to al-Qaeda.