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THE US
State Department has renewed its warning against travel
to the Philippines, citing alleged heightened threats of
terrorist attacks, particularly in
Mindanao and Sulu.
“US
citizens contemplating travel to the
Philippines
should carefully consider the risks to their safety and
security while in there, including those due to
terrorism. While travelers may encounter such threats
anywhere in the Philippines, the southern island of
Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular
concern,” the State Department said in its latest travel
advisory posted on its web site.
It said
the travel advisory is also intended to warn US
nationals of the continued threat from communist rebels
of kidnapping-for-ransom, particularly of Americans.
US
officials traveling to Mindanao and other “risky areas
were advised to lower their profile, limit their stay,
and exercise extreme caution.”
“While
it has not targeted foreigners in several years, the NPA
could threaten US citizens engaged in business or
property-management activities, and it often demands
revolutionary taxes.”
The
State Department also warned Americans against renewed
attacks by terrorist groups Jema’ah Islamiyah and the
Abu Sayyaf, as well as the breakaway factions of the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The
latest travel warning supersedes the earlier advisory
issued in April last year. |
