UK upgrades travel warning on RP

The United Kingdom has updated its travel advisory on the Philippines, warning its citizens against terrorist attacks throughout the country.

In an updated advisory, the UK government no longer limits its warning against travel to Central, Southern and Western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago — particularly Jolo and the islands of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, where military and police operations against terrorist and rebel groups are ongoing and where bombings and kidnappings have occurred.

The British government now believes terrorists in the Philippines are still planning an attack that could take place at any time — particularly during the observance of Holy Week — and is cautioning its citizens against travel throughout the country.

The advisory noted that "extremist groups" including Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF) operate in the Philippines, and communist insurgents remain active.

"There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines," the travel advisory said. "There continue to be threats against western interests and there is a danger of collateral damage from terrorist attacks targeted at others."

The updated advisory cited warnings issued by the Philippine government that there may be bomb attacks in Manila and other key cities. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed 15,000 of its personnel to secure shopping malls, churches and vital installations across Metro Manila over the Holy Week holidays.

The United States is also expected to release a revised public announcement within 24 hours "based on reports received from Philippine authorities that terrorist reprisal from the Abu Sayyaf is possible," Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Gilbert Asuque said.

He said the US advisory will be posed on the US Embassy’s website within 24 hours.

Reports said the Abu Sayyaf bandit group is preparing for attacks to retaliate for the PNP’s suppression of an escape attempt in the Camp Bagong Diwa maximum-security jail in Bicutan, Taguig that left 22 Muslim inmates dead, including three ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders.

The jailbreak at Camp Bagong Diwa began on March 14 and ended the next day with police assaulting the building where the Abu Sayyaf instigators of the jailbreak had holed up and refused to surrender. Among those killed in the assault were Abu Sayyaf leaders Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot; Alhamser Limbong, alias Commander Kosovo; and Nadzmi Sabdullah, alias Commander Global.

The Abu Sayyaf has claimed responsibility for the recent Valentine’s Day bombings and last year’s bombing of a passenger ferry. The ferry ombing was the worst terrorist attack in Philippine history as 118 of the ship’s passengers died in the fire that spread through the vessel after it was bombed.