UK partially lifts travel ban on Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The United Kingdom has partially lifted its travel advisory on Mindanao, saying it will no longer advice against travel to the east side of the southern Philippine island. But the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) maintained its stand against all travel to Southwest Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago due to "terrorist and insurgent" activity. "We no longer advise against all travel to the east side of Mindanao," the FCO said on its Web site without elaborating. The FCO however maintained its advisory against "all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao," noting there have been terrorist attacks against civilian targets in the area. Still covered by the advisory are the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM, including Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) plus the western provinces of Sarangani, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. "The Philippine government is taking action against the terrorist and kidnapping threat. It has tightened security in Metro Manila and other areas considered at high risk, including airports and seaports," it said. Since Aug. 10 last year, the FCO noted there have been clashes between insurgent groups and the military in North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces of Mindanao. It also warned its nationals of the risk of terrorist attacks to all forms of public transport: road, rail, sea and air. "There is also a threat from kidnapping in Philippines. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking," it said. Meanwhile, the FCO advised its nationals to take particular care we traveling to Northern Luzon and Bicol, Samar and Leyte regions. It said this is due to the typhoon season in the Philippines that normally runs from July to November, but where "typhoons can affect the country at any time." "This is also the rainy season and flooding and landslides may occur. Tropical depressions and cyclones typically bring strong winds and rain to the Visayas and Luzon regions, and particular care should be taken when travelling to Northern Luzon and the Bicol, Samar and Leyte regions," it said. - GMANews.TV