Travel Warning: Philippines

September 1, 2000

U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned to avoid all travel to the southern and western areas of the Island of Mindanao, including Zamboanga, General Santos City and Cotabato due to increased incidents of terrorism and violence in the area. U.S. citizens should also avoid travel to the islands of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo located in the Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines.

The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has taken hostage a number of Filipinos on Basilan Island and several foreign tourists and staff at a dive resort on the Malaysian Island of Sipadan since April 2000. Some of these hostages have been killed by their captors. On August 28, the same group took a U.S. citizen, who had been visiting Zamboanga, hostage. He remains in their custody at this time. There is concern that the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group may take additional actions against U.S. citizens and other foreigners throughout the Philippines, including but not limited to, kidnappings and shootings.

There have also been sporadic incidents of violence in southern Mindanao. These incidents have included bombings in General Santos City and at the Cotabato Airport in Maguindanao Province, as well as bus hijackings on national highways in the region. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front reportedly has claimed responsibility for these actions.

Again, the Department strongly cautions Americans against travel to Mindanao and the other areas cited above. If travel to one of these areas cannot be avoided, U.S. citizens should contact the American Embassy in Manila for the latest security information. Americans who nonetheless travel to these areas should review their security practices, remain vigilant to their surroundings and exercise caution. They should avoid large crowds and gatherings, keep a low profile, and vary routes and times of all travel.