Friday, January 05, 2007
UK, Canada warn travel to Cebu (4:58 p.m.)
CEBU -- The governments of United Kingdom and Canada are maintaining their warning to its citizens against travel to Cebu on possible terrorist threat with the 12th Southeast Asian summit scheduled next week.
The Canadian government in its website, www.voyage.gc.ca, said it has credible information that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks.
"You are advised against all travel to Cebu. Following the announcement that the previously postponed ASEAN will now be held in Cebu in January, there is a renewed threat of terrorism," the advisory said.
It further warned Canadians residing in Cebu to exercise increased awareness at all times and avoid public places such as malls, places of worship, restaurants, as much as possible.
The United Kingdom also renewed its travel advisory on the Philippines, Friday.
The British embassy like Canada cited the same information on terror attacks.
"We advise against all travel to Mindanao and Cebu provinces," advisory stated as posted in their website, www.britishembassy.gov.uk.
"We also advise against all travel to the Sulu archipelago, including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo where there are ongoing military and police operations against insurgent groups," the advisory added.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. in a television interview said there is no need to dispel the travel advisories issued by United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
He said the advisory is directed to their respective citizens and it is just but normal and events as big as summits is attractive to terror threats.
Paynor said that most governments hosting summits usually experience these kinds of concerns.
On the other hand, government authorities launched a nationwide manhunt Friday for an alleged Vietnamese-American terrorist who could be a threat to the Asean summit next week.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said the uncertainty of the whereabouts of fugitive Vihn Nguyen Tan may be assumed that he is still in the country and poses threat to the Asean summit in Cebu.
Tan is the alleged leader of the Free Vietnam Revolutionary Group. He was arrested in Manila while trying to assemble a bomb to be used in attacking the Vietnamese embassy.
Tan also known as Vo Van Due was illegally freed by corrupt immigration officials who gave him a Filipino passport two years ago. (Sunnex) |
