US voices Philippines terror fears

The United States has expressed concern about militant training activity on Mindanao in the southern Philippines, warning that the rebellion-torn region could become the "next Afghanistan".

Joseph Mussomeli, the number-two official of the US Embassy in Manila, urged its Southeast Asian ally to do more to stem the flow of Islamic militant recruits into Mindanao, which he alleged was becoming "the new Mecca for terrorism".

These groups train in bomb-making in Mindanao and have actually conducted bombing campaigns in the country, he said.

"Personally, I'm worried that we're not worried enough," Mussomeli said in an interview with Australia's SBS television.