Australia urges caution to citizens traveling to Mindanao

The Australian government on Friday called on their citizens not to travel to the southern part of the Philippines .

In its travel advisory, they said, "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack."

"We continue to receive credible reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners," the advisory noted.

It pointed out, "Some reports suggest that terrorists could target sites in Metro Manila and Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago."

The advisory specifically called their citizens not to go to mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago regions of Mindanao, including Basilan, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping, and related counter-terrorism operations.

"If you are in these areas you should consider leaving," the advisory said.