US issues travel alert for parts of Philippines

WASHINGTON – The US State Department on Tuesday warned of the risk of terrorist activity on the Philippine island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, but said attacks could occur anywhere, including Manila.

“Targeted sites may be public gathering places including, but not limited to, airports, shopping malls, conference centers, and other public venues,” the State Department said.

The warning said that travelers should use “extreme caution” if traveling to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago and that regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings in the areas.

US government employees, it added, must get permission to travel to the two areas.

The State Department noted that “kidnap-for-ransom gangs are active throughout the Philippines and have targeted foreigners.”

The Philippines faces insurgencies which include a 33-year rebellion by the 12,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which seeks an independent Muslim state on Mindanao.