Citing "continuing threats" from terrorist and insurgent activities, the United States government late Thursday warned its nationals against travel to Mindanao, particularly the Sulu archipelago and the southern Sulu Sea area.
In an updated travel warning, the US State Department urged US citizens to defer non-essential travel to the Sulu archipelago, due to the "high threat" of kidnapping of international travelers and violence from insurgency and terrorism.
"US citizens should continue to exercise extreme caution if traveling to the main island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Separatist and terrorist groups across Mindanao continued their violent activities, conducting bombings and kidnappings, attacking civilians and political leaders, and battling Philippine security forces," it said.
It cited in particular the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the Cotabato City area. The BIFF is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Also, the US State Department noted the government maintains a state of emergency and a greater police presence in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
Abductions
On the other hand, it cited a "history of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings of foreigners" in the Eastern Sabah area and in the southern Sulu Sea area by terrorist or insurgent groups based in Sulu.
"US citizens should continue to exercise extreme caution if considering travel in the southern Sulu Sea region from the southern tip of Palawan, along the coast of Sabah, Malaysia and the islands of the Sulu Archipelago, up to Zamboanga City, Mindanao," it said.
Travel restriction
The US Embassy has imposed a strict restriction on "all but the most essential travel to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago."
As such, Embassy employees must receive special authorization from Embassy security officials to travel to any part of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, including urban centers.
Meanwhile, the State Department recommended that US citizens traveling to or residing in the Philippines enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
STEP gives security updates, and makes it easier for the nearest US embassy or consulate to contact US nationals in an emergency.
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