Philippine police seize bomb materials during terror hunt

Manila: Police have found hundreds of bomb parts during a search for a suspected Al Qaida-linked terrorist in Laguna, an official said on Wednesday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said suspected Filipino terrorist Khalid Pagayao was the target of the manhunt.

Police allege Pagayo was among militants plotting to bomb several Western embassies in Manila. He was not in the area during the police search.

Police searching for Pagayao were led to a compound in Alaminos town where they found 550 pieces of improvised blasting caps, 25 pieces of time fuse and other bomb components.

Puno said the bomb parts found could be used for future attacks, including one against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.