SECURITY officials are verifying the reported threats of kidnapping by terror groups in Palawan.
In an advisory issued Tuesday, the United States embassy in Manila advised its citizens to avoid going to Palawan, including Puerto Princesa City, and the areas surrounding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
"US citizens are advised to carefully consider this information as they make their travel plans and to review personal security plans, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and remain vigilant at all times," the advisory read.
The embassies of United Kingdom and Canada relayed the said travel warning to their own citizens.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief, said the AFP has not monitored threat specific to Palawan.
"But that doesn't mean that we are taking the report lightly although the AFP is not the source of that information made basis of the US travel advisory… whether indeed a threat or not our position is we take all reports seriously," he said.
He said the AFP is not deploying more troops in the area but techniques, tactics and procedure will evolve to address the "thinking enemies."
For its part, the AFP Western Mindanao Command said even without the reference of any travel advisory, they, together with the Philippine National Police, Coast Guard and the Local Government Units (LGU) have already beefed up security measures in anticipation of the tourist season.
"In fact, we remain on heightened alert, but assures the public that Palawan, being one of the most beautiful places in the world, is safe for both local and foreign nationals, residing in and/or visiting the province, including Puerto Princesa," it said.
It said local government units, Coast Guard, Navy teams and PNP maritime police as well as the Philippine Air Force were conducting regular patrolling in their respective areas of jurisdiction to continuously deny terrorist groups entry and access in the high seas and coastal areas.
It said they are also coordinating closely with the locals in the area to provide them with vital information on any possible presence of suspicious persons or groups in the area.
The PNP meanwhile said it is validating the reports that terror groups are planning to kidnap foreign nationals in Palawan.
"The PNP is validating all information. We will take necessary precautionary and security measures to ensure the safety of the public," said PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos.
Arevalo meanwhile urged the public particularly the locals in Palawan to remain calm and continue to remain vigilant and to actively participate in strengthening the government's security measures.
"We would like to cite the Bohol experience where we defeated and frustrated the attempts of the terror groups through the cooperation of the local government units, residents and security forces. Security is a shared concern and responsibility of everybody," he said.
On April 9, the US embassy also issued a travel advisory for its citizens to avoid going to Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu and Bohol.
Two days later, PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa had confirmed several armed members of the Abu Sayyaf group entered Bohol on board speed boats.
Through intensified police and military operations, the bandits were killed and arrested. Authorities are still hunting down two more Abu Sayyaf members in Bohol. (SunStar Philippines)