US updates travel warnings to RP

WASHINGTON - Americans need to be very careful in the Philippines and should not travel to some regions at all because of terrorist threats, the U.S. State Department said on Friday.

It updated travel warnings issued in November and said the advisory would stay in place until July.

"The terrorist threat to Americans in the Philippines remains high," the State Department said in a statement.

"In the aftermath of the October 2002 terrorist bombings in Bali, Indonesia, the State Department is concerned that similar attacks may occur in other Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, because extremist groups present in Southeast Asia, such as Jemaah Islamiyah, have demonstrated transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations where Westerners congregate," it added.

"Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets."

Several bombs have either exploded or been disarmed in Manila in recent months, the warning noted. "Philippine authorities have confirmed they have put into place extra security measures to deter possible terrorist attacks and to protect the public, including resident and traveling foreigners," it added.

"U.S. citizens are warned to avoid all travel to the central, southern and western areas of Mindanao, including Zamboanga City and General Santos City, due to incidents of kidnappings, bombings, and other violence and criminal activity," the statement read.

"U.S. citizens should also avoid travel to the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo, located in the Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines." Reuters/abs-cbnNEWS.com