Britain tightens RP travel advice

Britain has issued a stricter travel advisory for its citizens heading to the Philippines Friday after the military killed at least 10 militants linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

The British foreign office is now advising against all travel to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo.

It highlighted "ongoing terrorist activity" in Mindanao and "ongoing military and police operations against insurgent groups" in Sulu.

Basilan’s mountains and thick forests had been the hideouts of the Abu Sayyaf, but they have been largely driven to seek refuge with others on Jolo in the wake of US military training and humanitarian operations that started in 2002.

Earlier this month, seven people were killed by three bombs in Mindanao, and 10 militants were killed in Jolo Thursday after President Arroyo promised to eradicate the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf.

The announcement came after the authorities claimed the death of Abu Solaiman on Tuesday in Talipao, Sulu. Solaiman is on the US and Philippine most-wanted lists and with a $5-million bounty on his head from Washington.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said Solaiman masterminded a string of attacks including a February 2004 ferry fire bombing which left more than 100 people dead, the country’s worst terror incident.

The latest travel advisory said that around 50,000 British tourists visit the Philippines every year. "Most visits are trouble-free," it noted.

Earlier last month, Britain along with the US and Australia warned their citizens against traveling to Cebu, where they believe terrorists were in the "final stages of planning attacks" to disrupt a meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders.

The British advisory said civilians in public places, including those frequented by foreigners, remain a target.

Originally set for Dec. 10 to 13, the gathering was abruptly postponed by the government and blamed an approaching typhoon — not on warnings of a terror attack. The ASEAN and East Asia summits finally pushed through and concluded this week. — AFP