Australia defends travel advisory

CEBU — Australian Ambassador Tony Hely yesterday defended his government’s issuance of travel advisories warning Australian nationals against going to the Philippines in the wake of the recent bombings in Mindanao.

Interviewed by reporters at a press conference held at the Shangri-La Mactan Hotel and Resort Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Hely also said the recent advisory is based on intelligence reports that the Australian government has gathered from Filipino authorities.

Australia’s updated advisory released Wednesday warns Australians in the Philippines to exercise a "high degree of caution" due to the "high threat of terrorist attack."

The Australian government has identified nine areas in the Philippines as likely bombing targets.

"Possible targets include places of worship, restaurants, shopping malls, including mega malls, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bars or clubs in major population centers, including but not limited to Carmen, Isulan, Kidapawan, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, General Santos City, Cotabato City, Maganoy and Pagadian," the Australian embassy said in its advisory.

Despite the fact that Cebu is not included in the list of possible bombing targets, Australians are strongly advised to avoid travel to Cebu where the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit is ongoing.

"The high threat from terrorism remains throughout the Philippines. We continue to receive reports that terrorist groups are planning further attacks and believe that they have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country. These attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets in public places, including those frequented by foreigners," the advisory stated.
"I appreciate that a travel advisory… can be damaging to the tourism industry," said Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss yesterday. "But we have an obligation as a country to be truthful to our citizens and when there are acts of violence in other parts of the world."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is expected to fly in Sunday to attend the East Asia Summit on Monday, involving 10 ASEAN members and dialogue partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

Other governments have issued similar advisories.

The British updated their advisory on Wednesday night, advising nationals not to travel to Mindanao and Cebu because terrorists "are in the final stages of planning attacks."

The Canadian embassy also reiterated its advice against all travel to Cebu, urging Canadians to be vigilant and cooperate with authorities. — Pia Lee Brago, AFP