Philippines

Philippines: U.S. Embassy Temporarily Closed

Date: December 6th, 2005 |

The U.S. Embassy in Manila closed Dec. 6 after receiving a plausible threat and will reopen �when deemed appropriate,� according to the Embassy�s web site. Emergency assistance is still available to U.S. citizens by calling (63-2) 528-6300, ext. 224 [read more]

Philippines

Date: February 22nd, 2005 |

No Comments

Travel to several places in the southern islands is inadvisable because of ongoing insurgency and terrorist threats, especially central, southern and western Mindanao, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. The military is conducting an offensive on Jolo against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, and some 25,000 villagers have abandoned their homes to avoid being caught in the [read more]

Philippines

Date: November 2nd, 2004 |

No Comments

Extremist groups remain active here and the risk of terrorist attacks is high, especially in the southern regions where Islamic insurgents have been fighting the army for decades. Currently a cease-fire is in place in Mindanao while the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front continue talks that could lead to a peace agreement, but [read more]

Philippines

Date: April 21st, 2004 |

No Comments

The attack on a Malaysian tugboat near Sabah on the island of Borneo and abduction of three crew members by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas indicates that the criminal group remains active in the Sulu Sea and the waters between the Philippines and Malaysian Borneo remain dangerous. Philippine forces have killed or captured most of the group�s [read more]

The May 10 bombing of

Date: May 13th, 2003 |

No Comments

The May 10 bombing of a busy market in Koronadal, South Cotabato by Abu Sayyaf terrorists and the May 4 bombing in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) underscore the dangers of travel in Mindanao. Much of the rest of the country is safe for travelers, but much of Mindanao [read more]

Philippines

Date: March 29th, 2005 |

No Comments

The Easter holiday passed without a terrorist attack in Manila, but officials say the threat remains, in particular in places where foreigners congregate. One of the targets is reportedly the Malate bar district in downtown Manila where tourists and expatriates go for entertainment. Officials have received reports that three terror groups may be combining efforts [read more]

Philippines

Date: January 11th, 2005 |

No Comments

Baguio, a city heavily dependent on tourism, is facing an outbreak of a meningitis-like disease that has claimed 28 lives since March. The disease, called meningococcemia, attacks the central nervous system and is spread by sneezing, coughing or sharing food or utensils. If detected early it can be successfully treated with penicillin or other anti-biotics, [read more]

Philippines

Date: May 4th, 2004 |

No Comments

In an attempt to defuse a rancorous campaign and prevent post-election violence, the top two contenders in the May 10 presidential election have signed an agreement to support the winner. Some 84 people have been killed in election-related violence in what some analysts have called the most bitter campaign since the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos [read more]

Philippines

Date: May 21st, 2003 |

No Comments

The World Health Organization (WHO) has removed the Philippines from the list of countries with recent local transmission of SARS. The last probable case acquired locally occurred on [read more]

Philippines

Date: March 11th, 2003 |

No Comments

Ongoing conflict in Mindanao and recent bombings at airports in Davao and Cotabato City and other incidents make travel to much of this southern island dangerous. The March 4 bombing in Davao killed at least 20 and wounded more than 140, and the Cotabato City bombing killed one and injured 20. Another bombing at Tagum, [read more]