Aussies, Brits told to be extremely careful in RP

The Australian and British embassies advised their nationals yesterday to exercise extreme caution when traveling anywhere in the Philippines, saying threats against their citizens and their interests in the country are high, given possible terrorist action and civil disorder in the Southeast Asian region.

"In view of the ongoing risk of terrorist activity in the region, Australians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times. Manila has experienced a series of bombing campaigns in recent years. A number of explosive devices were discovered in Manila earlier in 2002," the Australian travel advisory read.

For its part, the British embassy warned: "There is a general threat to Western interests in parts of Southeast Asia. Following the terrorist attacks (in) Bali (last) Oct. 12, British nationals, in particular those unfamiliar with local conditions, should remain alert, take sensible precautions for their personal safety, and should be extra vigilant in public places."

In the British embassy’s updated travel advisory, officials cautioned British nationals to remain vigilant when traveling in the Philippines to avoid "spontaneous crime driven by poverty," and planned abduction by organized gangs or extremists.

The Australian embassy also issued a travel ban on some parts of Mindanao where insurgent groups are active, citing abductions that occurred in major cities and tourist destinations where kidnap gangs have specifically targeted foreigners.

Australians should not travel to Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, the Zamboanga peninsula (including Zamboanga City), and areas of South Cotabato.