Wednesday, June 15, 2011

MANILA (Updated 9 a.m.) — The United States State Department has issued a travel warning for its residents for Philippines, citing risks of terrorist activity in the country.
In its advisory dated June 14, 2011, the US warned its residents of the terrorist groups in the Philippines, particularly in the Sulu archipelago and on the island of Mindanao.
The US State Department said, “terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur in other areas, to include Manila. Targeted sites may be public gathering places including, but not limited to, airports, shopping malls, conference centers, and other public venues.”

It added the US government employees must seek special permission to travel to Mindanao or the Sulu archipelago.
Due to the election-related violence, the Philippine government declared a state of emergency on November 24, 2009, for the Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces, as well as Cotabato City.
Fifity-seven people in Maguindanao province were massacred allegedly perpetrated by the Ampatuan clan on November 23, 2009.
The victims were on their way to Shariff Aguak town to file the certificate of candidacy of Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor when the convoy was later blocked at a checkpoint manned by local policemen loyal to the Ampatuans.
“Although the elections have passed, this state of emergency is still in effect,” the US State Department said.
“Travelers should be aware of heightened police activity and significant military presence in these areas. They should carefully research restrictions imposed on travel and follow the instructions of government officials,” it added.
The US State Department also cited the presence of kidnap-for-ransom gangs active throughout the Philippines that have targeted foreigners.
It urged U.S. citizens traveling, living, and working throughout the Philippines to exercise heightened caution in public gathering places.
“U.S. citizens should exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity of demonstrations since they can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence,” it said. (Sunnex)

Source:: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/06/15/us-issues-travel-warning-philippines-161227