Special travel advice for Bohol lifted

CEBU, Philippines - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Korea has lifted the special travel advisory for its nationals in the Philippines against seven barangays in Bohol in relation to the presence of Abu Sayyaf bandits there.

Instead, beginning May 24, 2017, the ministry issued a Blue Alert, which means Korean nationals are given caution if they decide to travel.

The Blue Alert applies to Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, Subic, and Boracay.

To recall, the ministry issued the special travel advisory last April 24, 2017 for seven barangays in Bohol – Inabanga, Clarin, Sagbayan, Danao, Buenavista, Tubigon, and Carmen – where authorities carried out operations against Abu Sayyaf members.

Bohol is a popular tourist destination.

"Considering the Philippine military and police’s official announcement that the situation caused by the terrorist group’s infiltration of the island ended, and judging that there are no unusual developments related to security in the areas, the Foreign Ministry has decided to lift the special travel advisory for the areas and place them under the Blue Alert again," the ministry said in a statement sent by the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Cebu.

The last two Abu Sayyaf members were killed by the military and police last May 15. A total of 10 rebels were killed in operations in Bohol.

The ministry has also issued a red alert status for Puerto Princesa, Palawan and a special travel alert for Mindanao, specifically Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. (FREEMAN)