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INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 2007

UNCLAS STATE 005767 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC RP
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: PHILIPPINES 
 
¶1.  The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the 
risks of travel to the southern Philippine islands of 
Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and urges extreme 
caution if traveling there.  This Travel Alert replaces 
the Travel Alert dated November 24, 2009, and reflects 
the continuing instability  in the area following acts of 
violence in the Mindanao province of Maguindanao in 
November and is supplemental to our September 17, 2009, 
Travel Warning to the Philippines.  This Travel Alert 
expires on February 28, 2010. 
 
¶2.  Travelers should exercise extreme caution if 
traveling in the central and western portions of the 
island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu 
Archipelago.  The violence in Maguindanao in 2009 and 
continued instability there resulted in the Government of 
the Philippines extending a state of emergency in the 
provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and in the 
city of Cotabato.  The state of emergency includes road 
checkpoints conducted by the Philippine military and law 
enforcement.  If U.S. citizens travel to Maguindanao 
despite this Travel Alert, they should understand there 
are heightened tensions and there will be a significant 
military presence.  They should carefully research 
restrictions imposed upon travel and follow the 
instructions of officials with regards to limitations on 
movement. 
 
¶3.  Travelers to this area should remain vigilant and 
avoid congregating in public areas.  Some foreigners who 
reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire 
their own security. 
 
¶4.  The Department of State remains concerned about the 
continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence 
against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the 
world.  The Worldwide Caution found at     http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/p a_1161.html 
reminds U.S. citizens that terrorism can occur anywhere. 
 
¶5.  The Department strongly 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 at 
https://travelregistration.state.gov/.  The U.S. Embassy 
is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, 
tel. 63-2-301-2000.  The American Citizens Services (ACS) 
section's fax number is 63-2-301-2017 and the ACS web 
page is   http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3004.html 
 
¶6.  For information on general crime and security issues, 
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of 
State's Country Specific Information for the Philippines 
can be found at 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/ cis_999.html 
and the Worldwide Caution, located at the Department of 
State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website 
http://travel.state.gov/     U.S. citizens may also obtain 
up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 
1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada, or 202- 
501-4444 from overseas. 
 
Minimize Considered. 
CLINTON