The travel advisory against the Philippines released by the United Kingdom has been renewed for the risks of terrorism in Mindanao, a local newspaper reported Wednesday.

Citing the latest travel advisory, the Philippine Star reported that the British government advised its citizens against traveling to the central, southern and western parts of Mindanao islands, particularly Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu "where military and police operations against terrorist and rebel groups are continuing and where kidnappings and bombings have taken place".

The advisory warned that "there is a high threat from terrorism and kidnapping throughout the Philippines" imposed by the Abu Sayyaf, rebel group New People's Army and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"There continues to be threats against Western interests and there is a danger of collateral damage from terrorist attacks targeted at others," it said.

All forms of public transport were considered as unsafe by the British government, particularly pointing to the fire caused by blasts on the SuperFerry 14 in February, leaving over 100 dead or missing.

However, the advisory admitted that the Philippine government has been working to neutralize the terrorist threat and has tightened security in Metro Manila and other areas considered at high risk, including airports and seaports.

Aside from the United Kingdom, other countries including the United States, Australia and New Zealand also have existing adverse travel advisories to the Philippines.

In an Australian intelligence report released Tuesday, the southern Philippines has been tagged as the nerve center of regional terrorism.

The report said that the Southeast Asian-based regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) had ties with the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf for almost 20 years.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer earlier announced their plans to take preemptive strikes against suspected terror camps across the Southeast Asian region, including those in the Philippines and Indonesia, which were later refused by the Philippine government.

Source: Xinhua