Security Briefing: Threats to Safety and Security

The information below has been excerpted from the following: 1) the US Department of State's "International Travel" website (travel.state.gov/travel/), 2) the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's "Smartraveller" website (www.smartraveller.gov.au), and 3) the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's "Foreign Travel Advice" website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/). Additional information is available from these sources. World Trade Press annually assesses the information presented on this page.

Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice

Terrorism

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack. Terrorist attacks, including bombings, are possible anytime, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners such as airports, hotels, shopping malls, public transport and places of worship. Attacks could occur in the lead up to and following religious celebrations.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include places frequented by foreigners such as shopping malls (including mega malls), markets, embassies, expatriate housing complexes, hostels, guest houses, clubs, hotels, restaurants, fast food outlets, bars, pubs, cinemas, convention centres, places of worship, public transport including buses and bus terminals, ferries and trains, schools, universities, tourist areas, festivals, outdoor recreation and major sporting events. Infrastructure associated with the Philippines Government such as airports, airfields, sea ports, railways, roads, military facilities, oil depots, power and telecommunications facilities and public buildings are also potential terrorist targets.

Kidnapping

There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout the Philippines. The threat is highest in the southern Philippines, including coastal and island tourist resorts and dive sites, including in remote locations in the Sulu Sea and along the Zamboanga Peninsula. Groups based in the south are capable of carrying out kidnappings and launching attacks in other parts of the Philippines, including areas surrounding the Sulu Sea such as Palawan, and other locations frequented by tourists.

The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers paying ransoms increases the risk of further kidnappings. For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping threat travel bulletin.

Eastern Mindanao

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao (including the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur) due to very high levels of violent crime and the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping. Australians travelling in these areas should ensure that they have appropriate personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.

Central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago: We strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao (including the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Misamis Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and surrounding waters) due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups. If you are in central and western Mindanao, you should leave immediately. 
Clashes between militants and the security forces in Zamboanga City in 2013 caused a large number of deaths and widespread destruction. Other attacks have occurred in urban areas such as Cotabato City and Cagayan de Oro.

Recent armed clashes, bombings and kidnappings in Zamboanga demonstrate a heightened threat environment in that area. Possible targets include locations where people gather, which may include hotels, shopping centres, restaurants and educational and government facilities in and around Zamboanga City. Armed clashes between Philippine security forces and insurgent groups could occur without warning, particularly in central or western Mindanao. Armed clashes between rival clans and other armed groups occur frequently in central and western Mindanao, often resulting in multiple deaths and injuries and the displacement of local populations. Terrorist attacks are frequent in central and western Mindanao.

The threat of kidnapping is higher in the southern Philippines, particularly in central and western Mindanao, where terrorists and kidnap-for-ransom gangs targeting foreigners can operate across a wide area. If you are in central or western Mindanao, you are strongly advised to leave immediately.

Numerous locals and foreigners have been kidnapped in central and western Mindanao, including in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago. In December 2011, an Australian citizen was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay. Other recent kidnappings in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago have involved Philippine nationals and citizens of European countries, the United States, China, Korea, Malaysia, India and Japan, among others. Kidnap victims are sometimes held in captivity for long periods of time before being released. Others have been killed by their captors.

If, despite our very strong advice against travel, you decide to visit central or western Mindanao, you should put in place robust measures to ensure your personal security, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General advice to Australian travellers.

Civil unrest/political tension

Militant groups operate in rural areas throughout the Philippines and are involved in attacks on targets primarily associated with the security forces. Armed clashes between Philippine authorities and communist rebels regularly take place in many rural areas of the Philippines.

Due to the risk of violent insurgent attack that exists in rural areas across the Philippines, you should exercise caution when travelling and avoid, where possible, security forces facilities and deployments.

You should avoid any large gatherings, demonstrations, protests, rallies or other public and political events as they may turn violent. You should monitor the media for information about any protests or political rallies and follow the advice of authorities.

United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign Travel Advice

Local travel

Seek advice from local contacts, avoid travel to remote areas and always leave travel plans with friends, colleagues or relatives. Safety standards on taxis, buses and boats can be low. There have been 2 recent mass-fatality bus crashes.

You should take particular care during the rainy season when flash floods and landslides can occur.

If you intend to travel to the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental you should use air or sea routes.

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) group have signed a Ccomprehensive Ppeace Aagreement. However, other armed groups remain active and the situation could deteriorate with little warning. There are on-going clashes between the military and insurgent groups in the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. Clashes have also occurred on the mainland of Mindanao.

Political situation

Keep up to date with local and international developments, and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings of people. The Philippines Bureau of Immigration have specifically warned foreign nationals against participating in public protests and political rallies. Foreign nationals who participate in these activities may be detained and deported for violating Philippine immigration laws.

United States: Department of State International Travel Information

U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including the risk of terrorism. The southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular security concern. Travelers should defer all travel to the Sulu Archipelago and should exercise extreme caution on the island of Mindanao. For further information regarding the continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities in the Philippines, see the Travel Warning for the Philippines.

Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jema’ah Islamiyah, as well as groups that have broken away from the more mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front, have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries, and property damage; they have also taken hostages. The city of Zamboanga suffered widespread devastation in September 2013 during a deadly confrontation between Philippine public security forces and rogue fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front.  Separately, bombings in central and western areas of Mindanao have targeted bus terminals, public buildings, public markets, and local festivals. While those responsible do not appear to have targeted foreigners, travelers should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Official U.S. government visitors and Embassy employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling in Mindanao, U.S. official travelers attempt to lower their profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution. Some foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their own private security personnel.

Kidnap-for-ransom gangs operate in the Philippines and have targeted foreigners, including Filipino-Americans. Such gangs are especially active in the Sulu Archipelago, and a number of foreigners have been kidnapped there in recent years.

Occasionally, the U.S. Embassy is the target of planned and/or spontaneous demonstrations. While Philippine security forces generally prevent such demonstrators from reaching the Embassy, in rare instances protestors have made their way successfully to the Embassy perimeter. In such instances, Embassy security authorities may take appropriate measures to safeguard personnel and visitors, including restricting access to the compound. U.S. citizens or other individuals having business at the Embassy should keep this in mind and be prepared to defer their business until any such situation is resolved.

U.S. citizens in the Philippines are advised to monitor local news broadcasts and consider the level of preventive security when visiting public places, especially when choosing hotels, restaurants, beaches, entertainment venues, and recreation sites.

 Stay up to date by:

• Bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution;
• Following us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well;
• Downloading our free Smart Traveler app, available throughiTunes or Google Play, to have travel information at your fingertips;
• Calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries;
• Taking some time before travel to consider your personal security—Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

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