Islamic State (Isis) terrorists are allegedly planning to attack the Miss Universe competition to be held in the Philippines. The 65th edition of the international beauty pageant is scheduled to be held in January 2017.
According to SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based organization that tracks online terrorist activity, a Filipino jihadi telegram channel posted a video on how to make suicide belts. A statement from SITE Intel Group said: "A pro-Islamic State telegram channel posted an explosive belt manufacturing video and a timed hand grenade manual, and suggested to 'create bomb for Miss Universe', referring to the beauty pageant to be held in the Philippines in January 2017."
The Armed Forces of the Philippines revealed they have taken the threat seriously. Col. Ed Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, told CNN Philippines: "We are giving it a serious look. We're taking it into account. We will continue to validate it. We are taking any kind of threat seriously."
"We even would like to caution some people na wag basta maniwala sa ganitong balita[don't immediately believe such news] because anybody could just claim that they are member of ISIS or that they are ISIS sympathizer, simply because they would like to ride on the notoriety of the ISIS. Ang paniniwala namin [What we believe] is still there is no ISIS in the Philippines," Arevalo added.
Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach won the coveted Miss Universe 2015 title beating 79 other contestants at a glittering ceremony held at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. She was handed her crown by the reigning Miss Universe 2014, Paulina Vega of Colombia.
