The Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed that the terrorist threat to the Philippines’ hosting of the international beauty pageant Miss Universe is “serious” but insisted that the country will be prepared to hold the pageant in the country next year.
Terror-monitoring SITE Intelligence group tracked a pro-ISIS social media channel wherein a video on “hot to create a bomb” for the Miss Universe pageant was posted. The said video featured the making of explosive belts, possibly to be used by suicide bombers.
“We consider this as serious,” the DOT said in a report by GMA News. Last month, the department announced that the grand coronation for the Miss Universe 2017 will be held in Manila.
National police spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos told Agence France-Presse that the threat will be referred to an intelligence group dedicated to security for the pageant.
(Photo source: Instagram – @missuniverse/ @piawurtzbach / Twitter: @siteintelgroup)