More countries issue travel warning on Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Western governments are warning its citizens against traveling to nearly all Mindanao, citing the rising threats of terror attacks and kidnappings by Islamist militants.

Fresh alerts from Britain, Canada and Australia were released this week after President Duterte extended military rule across Mindanao until the end of the year to combat the militants.

The Canadian advisory on Monday warned against visiting any part of Mindanao except for Davao, the biggest city in the south. 

“There is a serious risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings in this region,” the Canadian government said, adding that people should only visit if it was essential.

Mindanao, home to 20 million people, has endured decades of conflict, with Muslim separatists and communists waging deadly rebellions. It is also where the bandit Abu Sayyaf runs a lucrative kidnap-for-ransom operation.

Western governments have long advised against traveling to parts of Mindanao, but the fresh alerts are more extensive as they warn against visiting almost the whole region.

The terrorist Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to IS, occupied Marawi, the main Muslim city in the Philippines, in May leading to the displacement of thousands of residents and the death of more than 200 civilians, government troopers and terrorists.

The British government advisory, released on Tuesday, warned terrorists were “very likely” to carry out attacks anywhere in the Philippines, including Manila. It said the most acute threat was in the south and warned against traveling through nearly all of Mindanao.

The British advisory said the threat of kidnappings and terrorism also loomed over Dumaguete City and nearby Siquijor island, both tourist areas.