UK issues travel warning for Mindanao, south Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — The United Kingdom has issued travel advice for Mindanao and parts of Cebu on Monday, discouraging its citizens from non-essential travel there as the threat of terrorism continues to persist.

In its travel advice, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office cited the drawn-out battle between Philippine security forces and entrenched Islamist militants in parts of Marawi City in dissuading its citizens from traveling to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.

The British office said that terror attacks were “very likely” in the Philippines, including Manila.

Non-essential travel to the rest of Mindanao — excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands — and to southern Cebu should be avoided because of threats of terrorism, it said.

“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups,” it said on a travel alert posted on its website.

Islamist militants continue have the capacity and intend to carry out attacks anywhere in the Philippines, including places frequented by people such as malls, airports, public transport and places of worship, according to the FCO.

“You should remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to the local authorities,” the alert said.

Threats of kidnapping also continue as militants plan abduction operations against western nationals, it said.

The alert said: “This threat extends throughout the Philippines, both on land and at sea, but is particularly acute in the southern Philippines (Mindanao, Palawan and Central Visayas, including Siquijor and Dumaguete).”

Mindanao is under martial law until the end of this year as government forces struggle to retake parts of Marawi from rebels who have surprised the government because of their organization and resources.

The fighting is already in its third month, killing more than 500 persons many of whom rebels. It has already displaced more than 200,000 residents from the city since the start of the clashes.

The army rule in effect in Mindanao was also noted by the British travel alert.

It advised its citizens to monitor media reports and follow the instructions of authorities.

“A ‘state of national emergency on account of lawless violence’ remains in place across the rest of the country. Expect random checkpoints, security patrols and a more visible routine security presence,” the UK government said, adding that British nationals should cooperate with local officials and bring their identification papers.