jon1 Posted May 29, 2013 Posted May 29, 2013 (edited) Just got this via the embassy "STEP" program...Emergency Message to U.S. CitizensU.S. Embassy, Manila, PhilippinesMay 29, 2103THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO U.S. CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.Kidnapping Threat in Zamboanga, MindanaoThe U.S. Embassy wishes to alert U.S. citizens that a credible threat of a terrorist kidnapping-for-ransom (KFR) plot against foreigners has been identified in the Zamboanga area on the island of Mindanao. As a result, the Embassy advises all American citizens residing in or planning to travel to the Zamboanga area to re-evaluate their personal safety situation and consider postponing travel to this area at this time.Any U.S. government personnel already in Zamboanga have been directed to relocate to a secure area. U.S. government employees planning to travel to Zamboanga have been directed to defer their travel at this time. This Emergency Message expires on June 12, 2013.For more information on security conditions in Mindanao, please refer to the January 30, 2013 Travel Warning for the Philippines that is posted on the Department of State’s web site,Philippines. The Embassy wishes to remind all U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and maintain an appropriate level of personal security in all circumstances by reviewing your personal safety plans; remaining aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitoring local news sources for updates. __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________The Embassy is located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines and is open 0730-1600, Monday through Friday. The Embassy's main telephone number is (632) 301-2000. American citizens needing to speak to the Embassy can dial this number and ask to be connected to the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit or with the Embassy Duty Officer (for calls outside of normal business hours). You can also contact the ACS unit through email at ACSInfoManila@state.gov or through the Embassy Facebook page. Please visit our website for information on all services offered by the ACS unit.We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens travelling to or residing in the Philippines enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program. Registering gives you access to updated information on travel and security within the Philippines and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact you in case of emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.You can also stay up to date by bookmarking the Department of State's website, which contains all current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the current Worldwide Caution. Please consult the Country Specific Information on the Philippines, for general information about the Philippines. For additional information, refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" on the State Department's website. Contact the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by "following" us on Twitter and "liking" the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Facebook. You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android market, to have travel information at your fingertips.Due to the short expiration date, this appears to be an IMMINENT threat. If you are down there, double check your security plans and do some quick evaluations of your individual situation. Edited May 29, 2013 by jon1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike S Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 (edited) Damn ... there they go again and I had just booked my bus ticket to Sulu ..... anyone that is not from the US want to buy a cheap bus ticket ..... :hystery: :hystery: :cheersty: Edited May 30, 2013 by Mike S 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markham Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 No thanks, Mike, I try to avoid cheap buses! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 Add in the UK / Canada and Australia! Off philstar..... http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/05/31/948338/canada-uk-australia-update-advisories-phl Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Australia advised its citizens not travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Sulu Archipelago and Zamboanga Peninsula due to threats of terrorist attack, kidnappings, crimes and clashes between armed groups. “We continue to see reports indicating that militants based in the southern Philippines are planning to kidnap Westerners. If you are in central or western Mindanao, you are strongly advised to leave immediately,” it said. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJReyes Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 What the advisories fail to tell you is the presence of American soldiers who are training Philippine soldiers. Anyone who looks Westerner is a potential target. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i am bob Posted May 30, 2013 Posted May 30, 2013 What the advisories fail to tell you is the presence of American soldiers who are training Philippine soldiers. Anyone who looks Westerner is a potential target. So if I paint myself green, I would look like Shrek and then I would be ok? :mocking: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyAway Posted May 31, 2013 Posted May 31, 2013 What the advisories fail to tell you is the presence of American soldiers who are training Philippine soldiers. Anyone who looks Westerner is a potential target. Most all US soldier or civilian employee travel with multiple armed escorts. They are not easy targets like us. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike S Posted May 31, 2013 Posted May 31, 2013 I have a friend that was stationed in that neck of the woods to help train the Filipinos with the helicopters they have ..... he told me that they are not allowed to have any firearms and usually travel in small groups .... they are given a small armed army escort but as soon as they hit any town for R&R the escorts leave them on their own with no protection so he told me they just stay on the base ..... much safer .... they all hate it and can't wait to get relieved .... unlike in the US bases of th past where guys would fight to get stationed their ..... some even shipped over in order to stay in AC or Subic ...... I could also tell you how the advisers are treated by their counter parts but would rather just leave it be ...... :cheersty: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markham Posted May 31, 2013 Posted May 31, 2013 Add in the UK / Canada and Australia! Off philstar..... http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/05/31/948338/canada-uk-australia-update-advisories-phl Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Australia advised its citizens not travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Sulu Archipelago and Zamboanga Peninsula due to threats of terrorist attack, kidnappings, crimes and clashes between armed groups. “We continue to see reports indicating that militants based in the southern Philippines are planning to kidnap Westerners. If you are in central or western Mindanao, you are strongly advised to leave immediately,” it said. The UK has not issued a similar advisory. There is no longer a warden system and Consular services such as this have been axed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted May 31, 2013 Posted May 31, 2013 The UK has not issued a similar advisory. There is no longer a warden system and Consular services such as this have been axed. Well here is the actual headline, with UK mentioned! Canada, UK, Australia update advisories on Phl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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