The US state department has warned its American nationals against traveling to Sulu and parts of Mindanao due to “continuing threats in those areas due to terrorist and insurgent activities” and “high threat of kidnapping.”
“The Department of State warns US citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago, certain regions and cities of the island of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated November 20, 2014, and reflects continuing threats in those areas due to terrorist and insurgent activities,” it said in an advisory updated last May 20.
The American nationals should continue to defer non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago and exercise extreme caution, it said.
It further said that “based on history of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings of foreigners in the Eastern Sabah province of Malaysia and in the southern Sulu Sea area by terrorist or insurgent groups based in the Sulu Archipelago, 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.
READ: US issues travel warning to PH over kidnapping threats
Separatist and terrorist groups continue to conduct bombings, kidnappings and attacks against civilians, political leaders and Philippine security forces.
The US state department also cited the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as a threat, as it continues to remain active in Central Mindanao, particularly in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
There were no reported terrorist threats or incidents within the Davao City or Surigao City limits however.
“There have been no reports of US citizens in Mindanao targeted specifically for their nationality; however, general threats to US citizens and other foreigners throughout Mindanao remain a concern.
While US government officials in the Philippines travel to Mindanao for official business without any incident, the US state department said the Embassy is still imposing a strict restriction on all but most essential travel to the area, requiring them special authorization from Embassy security officials to travel to any location in Mindanao and Sulu.
READ: US, others back Mindanao peace
“We strongly recommend that US citizens traveling to or residing in the Philippines enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the nearest US embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest US embassy or consulate,” it said. IDL