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US renews travel warning to Mindanao

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/world/12/21/122116_us.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Philippine troops fire their 105mm howitzer cannons towards Islamic militant group positions from their base near Butig town in Lanao del Sur province, November.<em> Richel Umel, AFP</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Citing &quot;continued terrorist threats, insurgent activities, and kidnappings,&quot; the United States on Tuesday urged its citizens anew to avoid all non-essential travel to Sulu province and &quot;exercise extreme caution&quot; when traveling to Mindanao.</p><p>&quot;Separatist and terrorist groups continue to carry out attacks and kidnappings against civilians, foreigners, political leaders, and Philippine security forces in Mindanao,&quot; the US State Department said in its its newly-updated travel warning.</p><p>&quot;There have been no reports of U.S. citizens in Mindanao targeted specifically for their nationality; however, general threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners throughout Mindanao remain a concern.&quot;</p><p>The US State Department cited the 13 separate kidnappings of foreigners reported across Mindanao since January, and the September 2 bombing of Davao City which killed at least 15 people and prompted the declaration of a state of national emergency.</p><p>The <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/philippines-travel-warning.html"><strong>travel alert</strong></a>, which replaced a warning released last April, covers areas from the southern tip of Palawan, along the coast of Sabah, Malaysia and Sulu, and up to Zamboanga City.</p><p>US Embassy employees were also instructed to secure special authorization from higher security officials to travel to any location in Mindanao.</p>

<p>Citing continued "terrorist threats, insurgent activities, and kidnappings," the United States on Tuesday urged its citizens anew to avoid all non-essential travel to Sulu province and "exercise extreme caution" when traveling to Mindanao.</p>

Citing continued "terrorist threats, insurgent activities, and kidnappings," the United States on Tuesday urged its citizens anew to avoid all non-essential travel to Sulu province and "exercise extreme caution" when traveling to Mindanao.