Australia expands travel advisory to Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The Australian government yesterday expanded its travel advisory to some parts of Mindanao following the kidnapping of two American citizens and their relative near Zamboanga earlier this month.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the “Do not travel” area for Central and Western Mindanao now includes the surrounding waters.

“The overall level of advice for the Philippines has not changed,” it added.

The department was referring to the abduction of Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, 50, a naturalized American, her 14-year-old son and 19-year-old Filipino nephew from a house in Zamboanga City’s Tictabon island village.

“We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao (including the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur) due to the very high levels of violent crime,” the advisory said.

“We strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao (including the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Misamis Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and the Sulu archipelago and surrounding waters) due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, and violent crime,” it said.

The advisory said armed clashes between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or other armed groups could occur “anywhere, anytime in central and western Mindanao.”