Filipino wanted in US terror plots stands accused at home

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino doctor accused of plotting terror attacks in the United States was arrested months ago in the Philippines for his alleged involvement in kidnappings and beheadings blamed on pro-Islamic State group militants, an official said Saturday.

Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras said a Manila court is weighing a US government request that Russell Salic be extradited to face terrorism financing complaints.

US authorities said Friday that they disrupted a plot by Salic and two other Islamic State group sympathizers to carry out terrorist attacks at New York City locations, including concert venues, subway stations and Times Square in the summer of 2016.

Even if the court approves the US extradition request, the Department of Justice in Manila would have to decide whether to let Salic face criminal complaints in the Philippines first or be allowed to be flown to the US to answer the terrorism allegations there, Paras said.