Philippine gov't shrugs off US travel advisory

The Philippine government Thursday dismissed the travel advisories of Canada and the United States against the Philippines as "a jerk response".

Government spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a statement that the travel advisories are "a knee jerk response to breaking news of tactical threats that are election related."

"These have nothing to do with the standing fact that we are a safe place to invest in," he said.

The United States Wednesday renewed its warning to its citizens about terrorist threats in the Philippines, advising them of possible violence in the run-up to May 10 presidential elections, particularly in the southern islands of Mindanao.

"The terrorist threat to Americans in the Philippines remains high, and the (US embassy in Manila) continues to receive reports of ongoing activities by known terrorist groups," the State Department said in a statement.

"In view of a number of security-related incidents and the possibility of future terrorism, and other violence or criminal activity, Americans traveling to or residing in the Philippines are urged to exercise great caution and maintain heightened security awareness," it added.

On Wednesday, Canada joined Britain in renewing the travel advisory to the Philippines citing the risk of violence and terrorist threats likely going to occur during the elections.

Canadians were also told to avoid demonstrations and rallies, and unnecessary travel to the southern Philippines.

Britain last Thursday issued a travel advisory, cautioning its citizens against travel to the Philippines citing a "high general threat" of terrorism and kidnapping throughout the country.

Source: Xinhua