Australia expands travel advisory on parts of Mindanao

After the abduction of two American citizens and their relative near Zamboanga City earlier this month, Australia expanded on Monday its travel advisory to some parts of Mindanao. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the "Do Not Travel" area for Central and Western Mindanao now includes the surrounding waters. "The ‘Do not travel’ area for central and western Mindanao now includes 'surrounding waters.' The overall level of advice for the Philippines has not changed," it said. The Austrlian government department was referring to the July 12 abduction of a woman and her son, and her nephew. Unidentified armed men had abducted Gerfayeatts Lunsman, 50; son Kevin, 14; and nephew Romnick Jackaria, 19. Due to the incident, Australia advised its nationals to "reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao (including the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur) due to the very high levels of violent crime." "We strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao (including the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Misamis Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and surrounding waters) due to the very high threat of terrorist attack kidnapping, and violent crime," it added. It noted armed clashes between Philippine security forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or other armed groups could occur "anywhere, anytime in central and western Mindanao." Australia also cited a danger of kidnapping in the Philippines, with the risk higher in the south, particularly in central and western Mindanao where terrorists and kidnap-for-ransom gangs targeting foreigners can operate across a wide area. "If you are in Central and western Mindanao, you should consider leaving. If, despite our advice, you decide to visit central or western Mindanao, you should put in place robust measures to ensure your personal security," it said. - VVP, GMA News