Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:878 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!cutter From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Philippines Message-ID: <951113160354_76702.1202_CHN62-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: cutter@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Distribution: wstd Date: Mon, 13 Nov 1995 16:03:54 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 203 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Philippines ============================================================ Philippines - Public Announcement November 9, 1995 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release On September 14, 1995 the U.S. Department of State issued a Public Announcement regarding a report of a possible kidnap attempt in the metro Manila area. New and credible reports indicate that this announcement should remain in effect and American citizens residing in or visiting Manila should continue to maintain heightened personal security awareness. No specific targets have been identified but might include such locations as shopping malls, businesses, churches, government installations and transportation facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Manila has periodically cautioned the American public and U.S. Embassy personnel about similar situations in the Philippines and has had the full cooperation of Philippine authorities in their efforts to combat terrorist threats. Philippines - Public Announcement September 11, 1995 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release On August 7, 1995, the United States Secretary of Transportation determined that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Manila, The Philippines, does not currently maintain security measures which are fully consistent with the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Department of Transportation believes that air service operations can be safely continued if proper precautions are carefully observed. Currently, U.S. air carriers and foreign air carriers who fly directly to the U.S. are providing additional security measures that counter the deficiencies identified at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Philippines - Public Announcement April 28, 1995 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release On April 28, 1995, the U.S. Embassy in Manila issued the following security notice to U.S. citizens in the Philippines: "The recent extradition to the U.S. of a Muslim extremist suspected of complicity in the New York World Trade Center bombing could possibly trigger retaliatory responses from extremist supporters in metropolitan Manila. Such retaliatory acts would likely be directed toward U.S. Government and/or American business personnel and facilities. The regional security office recommends additional caution in the utilization of public establishments such as churches, restaurants and shopping areas known to be frequented by large numbers of Americans." Philippines - Consular Information Sheet August 12, 1994 Country Description: The Philippines is a developing democratic republic. Tourist facilities are available within the population centers and main tourist sites. Entry Requirements: Passports and onward/return tickets are required for entry through the international airports in Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Laoag. A visa is not required of U.S. citizens for transit or for tourist visits of up to 21 days. Current information concerning specific requirements is available through the Embassy of the Philippines, 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 - Telephone: (202) 467-9300, or Philippine consulates general in Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco. Security Concerns: The government of the Philippines is engaged in negotiations with communist, Muslim, and military rebels, and the security situation has improved in most areas of the country in recent years. Nevertheless, rebel presence and/or activity in certain areas of the Philippines pose potential or real security concerns. Most likely to be at risk are U.S. government employees, missionaries, military personnel, and resident Americans associated with organizations identified with the United States. In Northern Luzon, the presence of New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas and armed bandits makes travel in the provinces of Abra, Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao and Mountain Province (including Sagada and Bontoc) potentially dangerous. NPA units are also active in Southern Luzon, and travel is potentially dangerous in Quezon Province and the Bicol region, except Catanduanes. In the Visayas regions, there are small numbers of NPA rebels sporadically active in the interior areas of Panay, Negros, and Samar Islands, making travel to these areas potentially dangerous. In the Mindanao Region, continuing crime and insurgency problems make travel to and within the autonomous regions of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Basilan Island, Zamboanga City, and Cotabato City dangerous. (The ARMM consists of the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.) In June 1994, government troops launched a military offensive against the Muslim fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the Philippines' remote, southernmost province, Sulu Province. In retaliation, fifteen Filipino Christians were abducted and murdered by ASG sympathizers in Basilan. Subsequently, Christians in Basilan waylaid a jeepney, killing several Muslims. The ASG has also been implicated in bombings in Davao City in December 1993 and General Santos City in 1993 and 1994. There were several kidnappings of foreigners in Sulu and Basilan in 1992 and 1993, and credible threats continue. While all those foreigners kidnapped eventually escaped or were released, travelers should be aware of the danger and take appropriate precautions. Although Filipino Christians and Muslims have been the primary victims of this cycle of violence, American citizens - especially religious workers - resident in all the areas of Mindanao noted above are at increased risk. Communist NPA guerrillas continue to be present and sporadically active in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, and in the border areas of the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur, making travel to these areas potentially dangerous. Americans who anticipate travel to the above regions should obtain current, detailed information from the U.S. Embassy in Manila or the Consulate in Cebu. Volcanic Eruptions: The June 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo deposited large amounts of volcanic ash in a wide area around the volcano (located sixty miles northwest of Manila). The principal danger now comes from "lahars", or mudflows, which can inundate low-lying areas and wash away bridges. These conditions will persist for several years, especially during the rainy season (May to November). Medical Facilities: Adequate medical care is available in major cities, but is limited in rural and more remote areas. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment of medical services outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental overseas medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation, has proven useful. The international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control at (404) 332-4559 has additional useful health information. Information on Crime: Crime is of serious concern in the Philippines. Homicides, kidnapping, other crimes of violence, confidence games, pickpocketing and credit card fraud are common. Foreign tourists are often victims of petty crimes. Travel by public conveyance as well as private vehicle may be risky; travel off the national highways and paved roads, especially at night, is particularly dangerous. Lost or stolen U.S. passports should be reported immediately to local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Manila or to the Consulate in Cebu. Useful information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. In the Philippines, penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Capital punishment can be applied in cases of heinous crimes. Registration: U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Philippines can register with the U.S. Embassy in Manila or the U.S. Consulate in Cebu and obtain updated information on travel and security in the Philippines. Information for Americans contemplating road travel within the Philippines is also available at the Embassy or Consulate. A recorded message of the Embassy's latest travel information may be heard by telephoning (63-2) 521-9261. Embassy and Consulate Locations: The U.S. Embassy in Manila is located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard - telephone: (63-2) 521-7116. The U.S. Consulate is located in Cebu on the 3rd Floor, PCI Bank, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug - telephone: (63-32) 311-261. No. 94-159 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 14, 1994. It provides updated information concerning continuing threats to security in Mindanao, mentions capital punishment as applicable for heinous crimes, provides updated information concerning supplemental medical evacuation coverage, and provides the current address and telephone number of the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. Information concerning the 1993 eruption of Mt. Mayon has been deleted. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories