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Saturday, September 15, 2007
Australians warned against traveling to Mindanao
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Australian Embassy has advised its nationals not to travel to the southern Philippines, saying there is a recent credible report that terrorists plan to attack power infrastructures in Mindanao.
"We continue to receive credible reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Some reports suggest that terrorists could target sites in Metro Manila and Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago," Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said in its travel advisory.
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"If you do decide to travel, you should exercise extreme vigilance when you are in the Philippines," the DFAT travel advisory, posted Friday on its website, further stated.
Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago are among the southern Philippine places wherein DFAT said is not advisable for Australians to travel because of the very high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping, and related counter-terrorism operations.
DFAT said that credible information indicates terrorists may be in the advanced stages of planning attacks. The attacks may be imminent and could occur at any time, anywhere in Mindanao where kidnap for ransom gangs are also active
Aside from that, DFAT said there is a danger of kidnapping throughout the Philippines, including in Manila and around coastal and island tourist resorts throughout the country.
DFAT said that possible targets include places of worship, restaurants, markets, shopping malls including Mega Malls, public transport, including bus terminals, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bars or clubs in major population centers, including but not limited to Davao City, Carmen, Isulan, Kidapawan, Koronadal City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Cotabato City, Makilala, Maganoy and Pagadian.
"We strongly advise you not to travel to mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Sulu Archipelago regions of Mindanao, including Basilan, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping, and related counter-terrorism operations," DFAT said.
It said that infrastructure associated with the Philippine government such as transport infrastructure, airports, seaports, oil depots, and public buildings are also potential terrorist targets.
"If you are in these areas you should consider leaving," DFAT told its nationals.
"We proceed in promoting the region as if these travel advisories don't exist," said Zamboanga Peninsula tourism director Ricardo San Juan in reaction to Australia's travel advisory.
San Juan said that the arrival of Australian tourists in Zamboanga Peninsula has registered an increase of 27.85 percent from 395 in 2005 to 505 in 2006.
Zamboanga Peninsula covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga. (Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (September 15, 2007 issue)
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