Australia warns anew of terror attacks after bus blast

Australia has warned its citizens anew of possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines following the bombing of a passenger bus that killed at least five people in Makati City last Tuesday. In a travel advisory updated Friday, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also warned its nationals against “the high threat of terrorist attack and the high level of serious crime." “On 25 January 2011, a public bus was bombed in Makati, central Manila. Five people were killed and more than a dozen injured. The perpetrators of the attack remain unknown at this stage and an investigation is ongoing," it was noted in the “Safety and Security–Terrorism" portion of the advisory. Australia is the second country after the United Kingdom to advise its nationals to be wary of possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines following Tuesday's bus blast. The UK advisory had said that while criminal gangs sometimes use terrorist tactics, such as kidnapping and explosions, it did not discount the possibility of the attack being the work of terrorists. “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.," the UK advisory said. For its part, Australia also reiterated terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila. It said it continues to receive “credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners." The advice reiterated as well its caution against travel to Mindanao, including mainland Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago. Australia advised its nationals to avoid traveling on public utility buses, light rail transit trains and jeepneys whenever possible, as opportunistic crime may occur. “Armed hold-ups have occurred and in some cases have led to fatalities," it said, adding that sea travel in the Philippines is also hazardous. “You should not travel on ferries unless no other means of travel is available. Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary lifesaving equipment and are not adequately maintained," it said. Reacting to the UK advisory, Malacañang on Thursday expressed no alarm and noted that the warning was an old one that was just updated to include the Makati City bus bombing incident. (See: Palace: UK advisory not really new, PNoy acted on travel warnings) Palace spokespersons could not be contacted for comment on the updated Australian advisory as of posting time. – MRT/JV, GMANews.TV