UK issues advisory, says bus blast may be work of 'terrorists'

The bombing of a passenger bus that killed at least five people in Makati City Tuesday has prompted a travel advisory from the United Kingdom, which said the incident may be the handiwork of terrorists, or criminal gangs. In its travel advisory updated Thursday, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office noted criminal gangs may sometimes adopt tactics used by terrorists. "Criminal gangs sometimes use terrorist tactics, such as kidnapping and explosions. Explosions attributed to criminal organizations have caused fatalities. On 25 January an explosion on a passenger bus in the Makati district of Manila killed five people and injured 13. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. There are no reports of foreign nationals being involved," the advisory said. Still, the UK did not discount the possibility of the attack being the work of terrorists, saying terrorist groups continue to plan attacks. It added terrorists "have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country."

"Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Such places could include, but are not limited to, airports, shopping malls, places of worship, etc.," it said. On the other hand, the UK noted the Philippine government is already taking action against the terrorist and kidnapping threat. It said the government has tightened security in Metro Manila and other areas considered at high risk, including airports and seaports. Handiwork of terrorists? Hours after the bombing incident on Tuesday, President Benigno Aquino III sad the explosion could be a handiwork of terrorists. "Terrorist aspect ang talagang sinusuri dito. Pinapa-review ko kung paano nakalusot ito," Aquino said. But on Wednesday, the President was cautious in pinpointing any group behind the blast. "At this time, we will not point to any particular group…. We’re not even sure that the label ‘terrorists’ on perpetrators is most appropriate. So after we have the data and solid evidence, I think we and nobody can make any pronouncements," he said. In November last year, Aquino downplayed foreign travel advisories warning of possible terrorist attacks in Metro Manila, saying they were probably based on raw data. Risk of terror attacks Meanwhile, the UK reiterated its advice against all travel to Southwest Mindanao covering the following areas, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), including the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) plus the eastern provinces of Sarangani, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. "We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao because of ongoing terrorist activity. There have been a number of attacks against civilian targets," it said. The UK particularly warned against the risk of terrorist attacks to all forms of public transport. It said these include road, rail, sea and air. "Terrorist groups have threatened to attack passenger ferries and other vessels, particularly those operating from Mindanao," it said. Around 90,000 British tourists visit the Philippines every year, with most visits trouble-free, the UK said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV