AFP sees no cause for alarm regarding US travel warning

MANILA, Philippines- The Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) sees no cause for alarm regarding the travel warning issued January 5 by the United States (US) Department of State, an AFP spokesman said Friday.

“With or without this travel warning, we will remain firm in our commitment to secure and protect, not only the Filipino citizens, but as well as other people visiting our country,” AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said in a press conference Friday.

“We respect [the] US Department of State’s issuance of [a] travel warning because it is their right and responsibility to warn and caution their citizens here in the country,” Burgos said.

In its travel advisory posted on their website, the US Department of State said that there are “risks of terrorist activity in the Philippines,” particularly in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.

It however reminded US citizens “that terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur in any area of the country, including Manila. Public gathering places may be targeted, including (but not limited to) airports, shopping malls, conference centers and other public venues. ”

Burgos reassured that they are closely working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and are continuing their intelligence monitoring, particularly in the southern Mindanao region.

“Whether we have received significant information of a possible threat or not, we will continue with our security operations and intensification of security patrols,” Burgos said.

The travel advisory warned about “regional terrorist groups [that] have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death,” and “sporadic clashes” between the Philippine military and criminal groups in Mindanao’s rural areas.

The US Department of State warned against kidnap-for-ransom gangs who “continue to be active throughout the Philippines and have targeted foreigners, including U.S. citizens.”

“US citizens should exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity of demonstrations, since they can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence,” the advisory said.

Burgos assured that they will protect “all the citizens, Filipinos or not, as long as they are within our national territory.”

The last US travel advisory was issue on June 14, 2011, according to the US Department of State’s website.