Thursday, August 21, 2008 Canada, 3 other countries warn v. travel to Mindanao By Carlo P. Mallo
AMID the growing tension in Mindanao due to the skirmishes between government troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government of Canada has advised its citizens in traveling to Mindanao.
Canada, together with the countries of Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand issued travel advisories to Mindanao.
Canada, however, excluded Davao City from its travel advisory.
"Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the Sulu Archipelago, Basilan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Saragani, Davao del Sur, excluding urban areas of Davao City, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao," the website of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said.
The advisory cited the high threat of a terrorist attack that could occur anytime.
Members of the MILF attacked and burned down houses in Lanao del Norte last Monday, while bomb explosions continue to rock certain areas of Mindanao, especially in the Central and Western parts of the island.
The Travel Ministry of Australia has also increased its warning on its citizens from traveling to Mindanao.
In its website, the Australian Government has issued a "Do not travel to Mindanao" advisory.
Meanwhile a "high degree of caution" is urged for its citizens who are traveling in the other part of the Philippines.
"We strongly advise you not to travel to Mindanao, including mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack," the travel advisory of the Government of Australia said.
The travel advisory specifically cited the armed clashes between the Philippines Armed Forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are continuing after fighting broke out on 10 August 2008 in central Mindanao.
"If you are in these areas, you should consider leaving," the travel advisory of the Government of Australia added.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of United Kingdom has also reiterated its earlier warning of travel to mainland Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago due to the ongoing threats of terrorism and insurgency.
"There are also ongoing clashes between the military and insurgent groups in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, and North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur provinces of Mindanao," the travel advisory of the United Kingdom said.
The same sentiment is shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand in its travel advisory against traveling to Mindanao.
"There is extreme risk to your security throughout Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago including Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi island groups. We advise against all travel there," the travel advisory of New Zealand said.
