Australia: Terrorists to hit Mindanao power facilities

Power facilities in Mindanao are now the new targets of terrorist groups operating in the Philippines, the Australian government said Friday. In a travel advisory dated Sept. 13 but posted on its website Friday morning, the Australian embassy in Manila cited "recent credible reports" that the attacks could occur anytime. "Recent credible reports indicate terrorists may be planning to conduct attacks against power infrastructure in Mindanao. Credible information indicates terrorists may be in the advanced stages of planning attacks. The attacks may be imminent and could occur at any time, anywhere in Mindanao," it said in its advisory (www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Philippines). It also warned its nationals that kidnap-for-ransom gangs are also active in the Mindanao area. Because of these, the Australian government "strongly advise(d)" its nationals not to travel to Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu archipelago. The embassy advised Australian nationals to exercise a "high degree of caution" throughout 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. Some reports suggest that terrorists could target sites in Metro Manila and Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago. If you do decide to travel, you should exercise extreme vigilance when you are in the Philippines," it said. Last Wednesday, the Australian government issued a travel advisory cautioning its nationals to "avoid any large gatherings, demonstrations, protests, rallies or other public events as they may turn violent." "You should monitor the media for information about any protests and follow the advice of authorities," it said. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) fended off the supposed threat against power infrastructure in Mindanao cited in the travel advisory. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao said the police has not received new intelligence information on planned terrorist attacks on power facilities in the southern Philippine region. Pagdilao said it is possible that what the Australian government is referring to in its travel advisory are the previous attacks on transmission towers and cellsites in Mindanao. - GMANews.TV