Britain issues travel advisory to Philippines

MANILA - Britain has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to the Philippines, citing high threat of terror attacks in the country’s southern region.

The British embassy to the Philippines issued the warning Saturday following Thursday’s bombing outside an international airport terminal in the southern city of Zamboanga that left two people dead and 24 wounded, including a British national, Xinhua reported.

“There is ongoing terrorist and insurgent activity in the Philippines. We advise against all travel to southwest Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao,” the embassy statement said.

The embassy said terrorists have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country.

“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should be aware of the risk of terrorist attacks to all forms of public transport: road, rail, sea and air,” the embassy said.