US warns citizens vs travel to Z’boanga

From the Manila Standard Today (May 30): US warns citizens vs travel to Z’boanga

The United States embassy advised Americans in the country on Wednesday to avoid travelling to Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao because of a “credible threat of a terrorist kidnapping-for-ransom plot against foreigners.”

In an advisory circulated to US citizens, the Embassy urged Americans living in Zamboanga to leave the area and “relocate to a secure area.”

“The Embassy advises all American citizens residing in or planning to travel to the Zamboanga area to re-evaluate their personal safety situation and consider postponing travel to this area at this time,” the advisory said.

“The Embassy wishes to remind all US citizens to remain vigilant and maintain an appropriate level of personal security in all circumstances by reviewing your personal safety plans; remaining aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitoring local sources for updates,” it said.

Reacting to the advisory, the armed forces assured tourists and foreigners living in the country that security measures were in place to protect them from crimes such as kidnapping for ransom.

“We respect the US Embassy’s issuance of travel advisories to its people, who intend to visit the Philippines, particularly the island of Mindanao,” the armed forces Public Affairs Office said in a statement.

It said the advisory was appropriate because the Embassy has to consider at all times the safety and wellbeing of Americans, who are in the country.

“With or without this travel warning, the AFP will continue to be firm in our commitment to protect Filipinos and foreign citizens visiting our country,” the statement said.

“Our intelligence gathering and network sharing with other law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police, are in place to prevent any untoward incidents that may threaten the peace and stability of our country,” the statement said.

In some areas of the Zamboanga Peninsula, which is composed of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay, Muslim rebels and the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group have been active.

Several Catholic missionaries and other foreigners have been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga del Sur in the past and released after paying ransom.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/05/30/us-warns-citizens-vs-travel-to-zboanga/