US renews travel warning over Sulu, parts of Mindanao

From GMA News (Jan 11): US renews travel warning over Sulu, parts of Mindanao

The United States on Saturday renewed its travel warning to parts of Mindanao, citing the continued threat of insurgency and terrorism there.

In its travel warning dated Jan. 10, the US State Department particularly warned against travel to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.

"US citizens should continue to defer non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago, due to the high threat of kidnapping of international travelers and violence linked to insurgency and terrorism there," it said.

It also said US citizens should continue to "exercise extreme caution" if traveling to Mindanao.

The State Department noted that in 2013, "separatist and terrorist" groups intensified activities and confrontations with Philippine security forces.
 

Such groups engaged in bombings, attacks on civilians and political leaders, and battles with security forces, it added.

Last September, followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari tried to occupy parts of Zamboanga City, and were repelled after nearly a month.

On the other hand, the State Department said the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Front (BIFF) was active in the Cotabato City area, and in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is engaged in peace efforts with the government.

The State Department said the US Embassy in Manila has imposed a strict restriction on "all but the most essential travel to Mindanao."

As such, it said Embassy employees must receive special authorization from Embassy security officials to travel to any part of Mindanao and Sulu, including urban centers.

Meanwhile, the US State Department said it remains concerned about what it called the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against US citizens and interests throughout the world.

"We encourage all US citizens in the Philippines to enroll with the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or at the US Embassy in Manila," it said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/343422/news/regions/us-renews-travel-warning-over-sulu-parts-of-mindanao