US advises nationals to avoid travel to NCotabato

MANILA, Philippines - The United States government advised its nationals Monday to avoid travel to North Cotabato, where government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces had been fighting since last weekend. In a warden notice dated August 10 but posted on the US embassy website Monday (Manila time), the US also advised its nationals to exercise extreme caution in Central Mindanao. "The US Embassy advises Americans to avoid those areas of North Cotabato province where military operations are ongoing and to exercise extreme caution in Central Mindanao. US citizens living and working in Central Mindanao are urged to reassess their personal security, keep a low profile, and avoid public gathering places," the notice stated. It added Americans living or traveling in the Philippines are encouraged to register with the US Embassy through the State Department so they can obtain updated information on travel and security within the Philippines. - GMANews.TV