Australia Bans Travel to 3 Cities in the Philippines
On Wednesday the Web site of Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade released new warnings banning its staff from travelling to Davao City, Cotabato City and Zamboanga City in the Philippines.
According to the Web site, the Advice was last issued on Monday, 01 July 2013, saying that "We continue to strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed group. We continue to advise you to reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao."
As for Australians planning to visit other regions of the Philippines that were not included in the advisory, the Web site advised for travelers to exercise a high degree of caution.
The Web site reiterates that the Philippines has a high threat of terrorist attack and high level of serious crime. With this, all travelers should pay close attention to their own security at all times. It is also highly advisable to read media information about recent updates on travel security risks."
"Terrorists attacks could occur anytime, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila. We continue to receive credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners."
The Web site warned all citizens to "reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao, including the provinces of Bukidnon, camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur."
"We continue to see reports indicating that militants based in the southern Philippines are planning to kidnap Westerners." Those already in Mindanao are "strongly advised to leave immediately."
Leisure travelers are cautioned against going to "coastal and island tourists resorts, dive sites, and live-aboard dive boats including in remote locations in the Sulu Sea."
The Web site emphasised that "terrorists have kidnapped foreigners from these areas in the past. If you decide to travel to an area... you should ensure you have personal security measure in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance. Recent bombings and kidnappings in Zamboanga demonstrate a heightened threat environment in that area. Possible targets include locations where people gather, which may include hotels, shopping centers, restaurants and educational and government facilities in and around Zamboanga city."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has all the reason to enforced strict travel bans to its citizens.
In February of 2012, two foreign nationals were abducted in the Sulu Archipelago, near the Philippines' border with Malaysia.
In December of 2011, an Australian citizen was also abducted in Zamboanga Sibugay.
In July 2011, two U.S. citizens and their relatives were abducted in an island in Zamboanga City.
There were also credible reports that Chinese, Korean, Malaysian, Indian and Japanese nationals were also abducted in the Zamboanga peninsula and Sulu archipelago.
In a related report from AFP News, Canada had also advised its citizens from travelling to Davao City, Cotabato City and Zamboanga City. The advisory in Canada was issued Tuesday and was still in effect on Wednesday.
The United States embassy in Manila, Philippines had already issued a warning for their citizens as of May 29, 2013, because of a "credible kidnap threat against foreigners in Zamboanga."