From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Philippines Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 15 Mar 1996 19:06:14 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:997 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960315190613_76702.1202_CHN19-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 135 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Philippines ============================================================ Philippines - Consular Information Sheet March 14, 1996 Country Description: The Philippines is a developing democratic republic consisting of approximately 7,100 islands, of which only 880 are inhabited. The two major islands are Luzon to the north and Mindanao to the south. Tourist facilities are available within the population centers and main tourist sites. Entry Requirements: Current information concerning entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of the Philippines, 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, telephone: (202) 467-9300, or from the Philippine consulates general in Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco. Information on Crime: Crime is of serious concern in the Philippines. Reports of homicides, kidnapping, other crimes of violence, confidence games, pickpocketing and credit card fraud are common in the local press and usually involve Filipino victims. However, foreign tourists are sometimes victims of petty crimes and in the fall of 1995 were also victims in several unexplained shooting incidents in the Ermita District of Manila. Travel by public conveyance as well as private vehicle may be risky as traffic laws are frequently disregarded and drivers tend to be undisciplined. 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 U.S. Consular Agency 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. Carrying Firearms: The Philippine Government has very strict laws regarding the possession of firearms by foreigners. Several foreigners have been sentenced to life imprisonment for bringing firearms into the Philippines. Aviation Concerns: In July 1995, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced that it had found areas in which the Government of the Philippines' civil aviation authority was not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Philippine air carrier operations. The Government of the Philippines was given a conditional rating. While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, Philippine air carriers are permitted to conduct limited operations to the U.S. subject to heightened FAA surveillance. The FAA is not providing heightened surveillance for operations to destinations other than the U.S. Travelers may contact the U.S. Department of Transportation hotline at 1-800-322-7873 for a summary statement on the assessment. Security Concerns: The Government of the Philippines is engaged in negotiations with Communist and Muslim 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. Activity by Communist guerrillas and armed bandits may make travel in the following areas potentially dangerous: in Northern Luzon, the provinces of Abra, Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, and Mountain (including Sagada and Bontoc); in southern Luzon, some areas of Quezon province and the Bicol region; in the Visayas, interior areas of Panay, Negros, and Samar islands. In Mindanao, crime and insurgent activity may also make travel hazardous to and within the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Zamboanga Del Sur, and South Cotabato. The threat of terrorist action by extremists, both domestic and foreign, does exist in the Philippines and could pose a danger to U.S. citizens. There are periodic reports of plans for possible kidnappings or terrorist acts aimed at U.S. Government installations, public and private institutions and means of transportation. Travelers may wish to contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Manila or the U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu for specific threat information. 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 inundate low-lying areas and wash away bridges, especially in Pampanga and Zambales Provinces. 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. Supplemental overseas medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation, has proven useful in some instances. The international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (tel. (404) 332-4559) has additional useful health information. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Philippines can register with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and obtain updated information on travel and security in the Philippines. The U.S. Embassy in Manila is located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, 1000 Manila - Telephone: (63-2) 521-7116, extension 2246. A Consular Agency was established in Cebu in October 1995, and is located on the 3rd Floor, PCI Bank, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City - Telephone: (63-32) 231-1261. No. 96-064 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 12, 1994. It also cancels the public announcements dated November 9, 1995, September 11, 1995, April 28, 1995 and April 12, 1995. It provides updated information on crime, security concerns and areas of volcanic activity, carrying firearms, aviation safety, and the Consular Agency in Cebu. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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. 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