Visitors warned of rise in kidnappings in the Philippines
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its travel advice for the Philippines, warning of a rise in terrorist kidnapping of foreign nationals since late 2015.
It believes it is likely terrorist groups continue to plan kidnap operations against western nationals in the region.
"There’s a particular threat in the southern Philippines, which includes but is not limited to the island of Mindanao, the Sulu archipelago and coastal and island resorts, dive boats and sites in the Sulu Sea and Palawan," it said.
"Foreigners have been targeted in rural, urban and coastal areas, and on private boats and marinas. Kidnap groups in the Sulu archipelago have sought to expand their reach northwards including by working with affiliates to abduct foreign nationals from one area of the Philippines before transporting the victims to another. "
The British government does make concessions to hostage takers as it believes paying ransoms and releasing prisoners raises the risk of further kidnapping.
The FCO also warned there is a high threat from other kinds of terrorism attacks throughout the country.
"Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country," it said.
"Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners like airports, shopping malls, public transport and places of worship," it said.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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