For us citizens in Cebu, Bohol: Kidnapping alert raised

CEBU, Philippines - The US Embassy in Manila has issued a travel advisory for the Central Visayas, citing "unsubstantiated yet credible" information of possible kidnapping threats.

In a security message on its website, the US Embassy said it has received information that "terrorist groups may attempt to conduct kidnappings in Central Visayas, which includes both Cebu and Bohol provinces."

Central Visayas also includes Siquijor province.

It said that US citizens should consider this when making travel plans "and to review personal security plans, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and remain vigilant at all times."

The embassy reminded US citizens of a worldwide caution issued in March of "an ongoing threat of terrorist actions and violence against US citizens and interests abroad, including the Philippines."

The Philippine National Police said last Friday that it has not monitored any credible threat against national security as the Philippines, where majority identify as Catholic, prepares to observe Holy Week.

"On the part of PNP, we have not received information pertaining to other persons connected with the two arrested foreign nationals," PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos told reporters earlier.

He was referring to Kuwaiti Husayn al-Dhafiri and his Syrian wife Rahaf Zina, who were arrested in March at a condominium in Taguig City.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, citing military intelligence reports, said that al-Dhafiri as allegedly involved in explosives manufacturing and in planning a terror attack against his home country Kuwait.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said al-Dhafiri is a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and is also known as Warsh al-Kuwaiti and Abu Muslim al-Kuwaiti.

He said Zina is the widow of Abu Jandal Al-Kuwaiti, a high ranking ISIS commander who was killed during an airstrike in December last year.

The US Embassy said "US citizens should be mindful of the importance of taking preventative measures to ensure their safety and security while traveling and residing in the Philippines?."

According to the Department of Tourism, the US is the second biggest source of tourists to the Philippines after Korea. Around 99,435 Americans visited the Philippines in January 2017. — Philstar.com (FREEMAN)