Palace: Travel advisories part of global alert

MANILA -- Malacanang clarified that the travel ban issued against the Philippines is just part of the global alert on possible terrorist attack on any country.

The United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada earlier warned citizens against traveling to the Philippines due to high threat on possible terror attacks.

“We are working with our allies to validate the intelligence information and coordinate possible responses should the need arise,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing Wednesday.

He also explained that the travel advisory is just part of the legal measure of any country to protect its citizens.

"These are precautionary measures because you must understand that if something happens, the liability of them being sued by their own citizens would increase," he said.

The National Capital Region was subjected to heightened alert status by both Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Palace official also urged citizens to remain vigilant and help the government in ensuring the safety of the public.

“Rest assured that the government is going extra mile to preempt and monitor any terrorist activity,” he said, adding that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is regularly briefed on the situation.(Jill Beltran/Sunnex)