AFP assures safety of foreigners amid US travel warning

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines assured Filipinos and foreigners here of their safety amid a travel warning issued by the United States to its citizens in the Philippines.

“We are vigilant and will continue to monitor the security situation in the country, particularly in Mindanao,” the AFP said in a statement Wednesday.

In its travel advisory, the US state department cited a report about the resurgence of kidnapping- for-ransom groups particularly in Zamboanga area that are targeting foreigners.

But the AFP said the intelligence gathering and network sharing with other law-enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police, are in place to prevent any untoward incidents that may threaten the peace and stability in the country.

Still, the AFP said it will respect the US Embassy’s release of the advisory. It said it was only “appropriate for any country to protect and at all times consider the safety and wellbeing of their people in their own country or abroad, as we likewise do here in the Philippines.”

“With or without this travel warning, the AFP will continue to be firm in our commitment to protect Filipinos and foreign citizens visiting our country,” it also said.