Philippines threats

The terrorist threat to Americans in the Philippines remains high. The U.S. Embassy urges Americans to avoid crowds as well as nightclubs and bars, among other places, and to exercise caution in public places or on public transportation.

Bombings have claimed many lives and injured hundreds in the Philippines during the past year, particularly on Mindanao. U.S. citizens are urged to defer travel to the island of Mindanao and to avoid all travel to the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo, located in the Sulu Archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines, due to kidnappings and other criminal activity.

The terrorist group Abu Sayyaf (ASG) claimed responsibility for the sinking of a Superferry in Manila Bay on Feb. 27, 2004, which killed more than 100 people. The group also has taken hostage large numbers of Filipinos, Americans and foreign tourists. Several were freed after substantial ransoms were paid, some escaped or were rescued by military action, and some were killed.