MANILA, Philippines – The United States warned yesterday its nationals of new terror threats in Mindanao and Metro Manila.
The latest travel warning by the US State Department said US nationals should exercise “heightened caution” when traveling to or if they are already in the Sulu archipelago. But it stressed that terror attacks may be indiscriminate and may include targets like airports, shopping malls, and conference centers in urban centers, particularly Metro Manila.
The latest travel warning replaced the one dated Nov. 2, 2010. The word “imminent” threat has been dropped from the latest advisory.
“Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death,” the travel warning read.
The advisory also cited sporadic clashes between security forces and criminal elements in Mindanao.
The travel advisory also cited the government’s declaration of a state of emergency on Nov. 24, 2009 for Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces and for Cotabato City due to election-related violence.
“Although the elections have passed, this state of emergency is still in effect. Travelers should be aware of heightened police activity and significant military presence in these areas. They should carefully research restrictions imposed on travel and follow the instructions of government officials,” it added.
The State Department said kidnap-for-ransom gangs are active throughout the Philippines and have targeted foreigners.
American nationals are also urged to stay away from demonstrations or exercise caution if they are caught in one as these protest actions can turn violent.
Improvement
But in Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the latest advisory was an improvement from the previous one and stressed that the government is committed to “ensure public safety and security.”
He also said the travel advisory was a regular update on local security scenarios from the US State Department.
Lacierda pointed out that in the Nov. 2, 2010 advisory, the US advised its citizens to avoid congregating in public places “that are frequented by expatriates and foreign citizens including American citizens.” He said the phrase “frequented by expatriates and foreign citizens, including American citizens” has been stricken off the new advisory.
He said an advice for US nationals in the November 2010 advisory to “hire own security” does not exist anymore in the recent travel warning.
“There’s been a recognition that while there are kidnap for ransom gangs, the concerns of the Americans had eased because those living in Mindanao and Sulu were no longer asked to hire their own security,” he said.
He said there was no mention of the Oct. 10, 2010 bus bombing in Mindanao and the Jan. 25 bus attack in Makati City in the latest advisory.
“So this (advisory) is again a usual, regular travel warning provided by the State Department for its citizens. You must remember the importance (of issuing travel advisories) because they have a legal burden if they fail to inform their citizens also of the assessment of the areas of concern for them,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said even the Department of Foreign Affairs is convinced that the travel advisory indicates progress in the security situation and “therefore the safety of tourists and visitors, have been observed.”
No specific threat
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo also downplayed the latest US travel warning and maintained that there was no specific terror threat in the country.
“I’m not saying there’s no immediate (threat). There is no specific report of a terrorist threat in the country,” Bacalzo said.
“Even before these travel advisories came out, the PNP leadership has already directed the different regions to really step up the security measures that we should implement for the opening of classes,” Bacalzo said.
Bacalzo explained that most countries periodically issue travel advisories to remind their citizens to be careful.
But he admitted that authorities are monitoring groups in Mindanao for possible links to international terrorist group al-Qaeda. He said the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf as well as the Jemaah Islamiyah are still the biggest terror threats in Mindanao, and security forces have not let down their guard against possible attacks.
He said the travel advisory should be more specific since Visayas and Luzon are generally peaceful areas.
“In fact, two weeks ago we raised the alert level in preparation for the opening of classes but we downgraded it to heightened alert yesterday except in the Mindanao area,” he added.
The military, meanwhile, said it is prepared for possible terror attacks but stressed there is no specific threat at the moment.
“We have not monitored any specific threat posed anywhere in the country. However, the AFP would remain vigilant and would continue our effort and preparedness in preventing any violence from happening that can harm the people,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Commodore Miguel Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said they would work closely with the PNP and other agencies to ensure the safety of the public.
By Pia Lee-Brago, The Philippine Star
With Alexis Romero, Roel Pareño, Aurea Calica, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero
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