Philippines

Philippines: U.S. Embassy Warns Against Travel to Mindanao, Philippines Says Mostly Safe and Secure

Date: July 16th, 2008 |

The U.S. Embassy in Manila warned against travel to Mindanao following a series of bombings of power lines and the defusing of improvised explosive devices in early July, and a bombing in Zamboanga in May that killed two people. The Embassy’s warning speculated that these actions could suggest a planned escalation of attacks on commercial [read more]

Philippines: U.S. FAA Downgrades Airline Operations

Date: January 17th, 2008 |

No Comments

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded Philippine airline operations because they do not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. The FAA moved Philippine carriers into category 2, which means they can still fly to the U.S. but only under heightened FAA surveillance. Philippine Airlines is the only carrier from the Philippines [read more]

Pacific Rim: Taiwan Earthquake Damages Undersea Cables

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

No Comments

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan Dec. 26 and damaged undersea telecommunications cables, affecting internet, banking and telephone services around the Pacific Rim. Much of the service has been restored but repairs to the cables are expected to take as long as a month. Internet access may be slow or unavailable in so [read more]

Philippines: Mayon Volcano Erupting

Date: July 25th, 2006 |

No Comments

Mayon volcano has been erupting since July 13 and drawing many tourists to see the show, but authorities have warned everyone to avoid the six-kilometer danger zone ringing the mountain. Thousands of farm families live within this area and are at risk, but have not been forced to leave because thus far volcanologists have not [read more]

Philippines: U.S. State Department Warning

Date: June 20th, 2006 |

No Comments

The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for the Philippines stating that “terrorist groups and radical insurgents continue to plan multiple attacks” throughout the country. For this reason, the department recommends avoiding all but essential travel here, and encourages all travelers to take strict security precautions. Mindanao island and the Sulu Archipelago are the [read more]

Philippines: Possible Kidnapping Threat in Zamboanga City

Date: April 2nd, 2008 |

1 comment

The U.S. Embassy in Manila reported that it had received information that extremists may be planning to kidnap Americans or other foreigners at hotels or other public places in Zamboanga City in the far south of the islands. In response, the Zamboanga City mayor called the warning “disappointing” because police told him there was no [read more]

Philippines: Military Called to Curb Election Violence

Date: May 2nd, 2007 |

No Comments

Mid-term elections will be held May 14 for 12 senators, the entire House of Representatives and thousands of local officials. The run-up to the elections has been plagued by violence among political clans, with almost 30 people killed in recent weeks, including the mayor of the northern city of San Carlos. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo [read more]

Philippines: Bombings in Mindanao, Threats in Manila

Date: October 17th, 2006 |

No Comments

Shortly after officials warned of a threat of Islamic terrorist bombings in Mindanao, explosions occurred at three sites over two days Oct. 10 and 11. One bomb killed six and the others injured several people. They occurred in a village near Isulan, in the town of Makilala, and in Cotabato City. The attacks resembled the [read more]

Philippines: Increased Security in Manila

Date: June 27th, 2006 |

No Comments

Security has been tightened in Manila to thwart possible terrorist attacks, the result of consistent intelligence suggesting the threat continues. Police set up 15 checkpoints around the city and deployed 20,000 officers to combat the threat. The national police went on full nationwide alert June 25-July 2 while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo traveled abroad. The mobilization [read more]

Philippines: Coup Rumors, State of Emergency

Date: February 28th, 2006 |

No Comments

A political crisis engulfed Manila recently as street protests, a State of Emergency declaration, a five-hour standoff with marines at their headquarters, and charges filed against 16 people suspected of plotting to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have created a climate of uncertainty. The situation has been calm despite large demonstrations, which should be avoided [read more]