US renews travel warning on RP

WASHINGTON — The United States has renewed a warning to its citizens traveling to or residing in the Philippines to exercise great caution and maintain heightened security awareness amid persisting terrorist threats.

In a consular information sheet released on Thursday, the US State Department said "a number of security-related incidents highlight the risk of travel in certain areas due to kidnappings, bombings, and other violence and criminal activity."

It also said rebel activity and armed banditry in certain areas in the Philippines pose security concerns and Americans should exercise caution when traveling throughout the country.

They should specifically avoid hiking or camping in the vicinity of Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga, where communist guerrillas are known to operate.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have issued public threats against US citizens and interests in the Philippines. The CPP-NPA was tagged by the US as a "terrorist" organization in 2002 in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York City and Washington.

In the advisory, Americans were also urged to defer non-emergency travel
to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago where the State Department said "kidnappings, bombings, violence and insurgent activity make travel hazardous in many areas."

The warning coincided with an announcement by the Philippine police of the discovery of a bomb planted inside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City which failed to explode due to faulty wiring.

Police said they have yet to determine who planted the bomb. In the past, separatist guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) operating in the area, have carried out bombings of civilian targets but a guerrilla spokesman denied they were behind the latest attempt.

Last week, government authorities foiled a plot by alleged Islamic militants to wreak havoc during the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. Several people were taken in for questioning.

The latest Philippines consular information sheet issued by the State Department replaces a similar one dated last May 25.

In addition to consular sheets the State Department also issues public travel advisories to remind US citizens of ongoing security concerns in certain countries.

The last travel advisory warning for the Philippines was issued on Nov. 1, 2004 and expires on April 30.