U.S. State Deparment and Embassy in the Philippines Issues Travel Warning

Logo from US State Department webiste

The Embassy of the United States in the Philippines issues a travel warning to all American citizens in or about to travel to the country. The message relays warnings of caution for the following areas:

• Central and western portions of Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago due to bombings and sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces. U.S. Government employees must seek special permission to travel to these areas;
  .
• Kidnap-for-ransom gangs are active throughout the Philippines;
  .
• The Philippine government declared a state of emergency for the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, and Cotobato City as a result of election-related violence;
  .
• Exercise hieghtened caution in public gathering places where events may occur in relation to the May 2010 elections and June inauguration

The warning also encourages U.S. citizens in the Philippines to register with the Consular Section of the U.S Embassy in Manila through the State Department’s travel registration website or visit the Embassy office in Manila. The 24-hour telephone number in Manila is +63 (2) 301-2000.

Source: U.S. Embassy, Manila Philippines