|
Monday, January 19, 2004
New US travel alert 'threatens' Davao economy
By Raquel C. Bagnol
DAVAO -- A fresh warning by the US government over terror threats in the Philippines would have a bad effect on Davao City's economy, and on tourism in particular, Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan said Sunday.
With Davao slowly recovering from the twin bombings that rocked the city early last year, Bonguyan said the US advisory "can ruin everything." At least 38 people were killed and 170 others wounded in the blasts.
He expressed fear that with the United States' issuance Friday of an advisory warning its citizens that terrorist threats in the Philippines remain high, "other countries, particularly European countries," will follow suit.
Government downplayed the warning issued by the US government Friday, claiming Philippine authorities had made headway in a campaign against armed groups.
"Our readiness against terror attacks has already been tested," presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
The US advisory said the American embassy in Manila continuing to receive reports of "ongoing activities by known terrorist groups" like the Abu Sayyaf.
Bonguyan said local officials cannot do anything about the issue since it is a national one. "This is an issue that should be taken care of by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)," he said.
The US alert urged Americans traveling or living in the Philippines to exercise great caution and be on high alert.
The warning replaced a similarly worded alert from July 16 that had been issued after three terrorist suspects with links to JI broke out of a Philippines jail.
Americans were also urged to defer non-essential travel to Mindanao "due to recurrent bombing incidents and threats of other violence and criminal activity, including kidnapping."
Cited in the US advisory were the recent bombing incidents in Mindanao, particularly the January 4 bombing in Parang, Maguindanao that left at least 16 people dead and 68 others wounded, and the bombing of the Davao International Airport in March 4 last year.
The State Department also said that because of bombing-related incidents in Metro Manila, US citizens should avoid crowds and crowded places such as nightclubs and bars and to be especially vigilant in other public areas, like shopping malls or while taking public transportation.
Friday's alert also reiterated earlier information about other dangers to US citizens in the Philippines, including threats from Abu Sayyaf and the communist New People's Army, both of which Washington regard as terrorist organizations.
But Bunye said there was no cause for alarm "because we have already seen the near neutralization of terrorist groups with the capture of their leaders."
He was apparently referring to the capture of top Abu Sayyaf leaders in recent months as well as the death of top Jemaah Islamiyah bomb maker Fathur Rohman al-Ghozie last year.
The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of self-styled Islamic militants responsible for bombings and kidnappings in the south, while the JI is the alleged arm of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda in the region.
Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Lucero said troops were on the alert for possible attacks, especially in the south, where the Abu Sayyaf operates and about 30 JI Indonesian militants are believed to be on the run.
"We cannot at this time, pinpoint their exact next target," Lucero told reporters.
He said the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is to begin peace talks with Manila this month, has also assured the government they would gather intelligence against the JI and other rebel groups as a goodwill measure.
"So far, the JI in the country has been quiet. However, this is the most alarming part since silence means they might be into something else," he said. (With AFP)
(January 19, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Comelec tells FPJ to prove Filipino citizenship