Brits warned against travelling to Mindanao in Philippines

The UK Foreign Office has altered its travel advice for the Philippines, citing a high risk of kidnapping of foreign nationals in Mindanao. The foreign Office has advised against all travel to the south west Mindanao region, and all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao.

The advisory states that a number of terrorist attacks against civilians have been recorded in Mindanao over the last two years, with targets including buses, roads and shopping malls. The Foreign Office goes on to say that clashes between the Philippine Armed Forces in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur and insurgent groups have escalated since August 2008.

The advisory warns that attacks could be indiscriminate, and often target civilians.

North and South Cotabato, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu, the eastern provinces of Sarangani, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay have all been included in the advise against travel.

The heightened risk name din the travel advisory comes on the heels of an Irish priest being kidnapped from the Pagadian City in Mindanao. The priest was kidnapped on October 12, 2009.
The advisory goes on to say that there is a high threat of terrorism throughout the Philippines.

The Philippines is a popular destination for British tourists, with about 70,000 Brits heading to the islands every year.