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U.S. warns citizens to use caution in PhilippinesState Department: Terrorism, kidnappings, violence possible
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department urged Americans living or traveling in the Philippines on Friday to be aware of their surroundings and exercise caution. The State Department said it based its decision on recent "security-related incidents" and the possibility of terrorism, kidnappings, violence or other criminal activity. The warning comes at a time of rising uncertainty in the island nation, where fighting between the military and rebels has escalated in the past weeks. On Tuesday, a bomb in the waiting room of an airport in the southern Philippines killed 21 people, including one American. Philippine police have linked a Muslim separatist group to the bombing, which also wounded 148. Another bomb exploded shortly thereafter in Tagum, the capital of Davao del Norte province in Mindanao, injuring several people. The intensity of fighting in the past weeks follows months of sporadic violence blamed on rebels. In October 2002, at least 20 people, including one American soldier, were killed and more than 100 others injured in bombing attacks in Zamboanga City and the surrounding area, and in Kidapawan, Cotabato province. Similar explosions occurred in December 2002. Other explosive devices have been discovered and defused before detonating in those and other areas of Mindanao. The U.S. Embassy in Manila is asking Americans to avoid crowded places, including nightclubs and bars, and to be careful in public places such as shopping malls, and while riding public transportation. The warning urges U.S. citizens to defer nonemergency travel to the islands of Mindanao, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. Muslim insurgents and guerilla groups, including Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF], have been fighting the government for decades, mainly in the country's south. Fighting has escalated since the Philippine military attacked a key MILF stronghold three weeks ago. Since then, the military has blamed MILF for a series of bombings and raids, including an attack on power transmission towers that triggered a widespread power failure in the southern Philippines last week. MILF has denied involvement in the airport bombing and a smaller explosion that took place later, a Philippines official said. Despite U.S. interest in sending troops to the Philippines to help fight terrorism and the recent rise in violence, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said this week that U.S. troops will have no combat role in her country as it battles the separatists. (Full story) U.S. Special Forces soldiers are training Philippine troops in the southern part of the country.
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