US issues travel warning on Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The United States yesterday warned its citizens of continuing threats due to terrorists and insurgents in Mindanao, citing the terror activities of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the region.  

“The Department of State warns US citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu archipelago, the island of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area,” the US State Department said in its latest travel warning. 

The travel warning said separatist and terrorist groups across Mindanao continued their violent activities, conducting bombings and kidnappings, attacking civilians and political leaders, and battling government forces.  

“In particular, the BIFF remain active in the Cotabato City area, and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces, where the government maintains a state of emergency and a greater police presence,” it said.  

Based on a history of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings of foreigners in the Eastern Sabah province of Malaysia and in the southern Sulu Sea by terrorist or insurgent groups based in the Sulu archipelago, the State Department said US citizens should continue to exercise extreme caution if considering travel in the southern Sulu Sea region from the southern tip of Palawan, along the coast of Sabah, Malaysia and the islands of the Sulu archipelago, up to Zamboanga City.

US citizens were advised to exercise extreme caution if traveling to Mindanao.

The US embassy in Manila has imposed a strict restriction on all but the most essential travel to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.