Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Safety and security

• On 5 June 2009, in Cotabato City, an explosion at a food stand near the Cathedral killed six people and critically injured eight others.
• On 3 April 2009, in Isabella City, Basilan, and explosion in the central plaza near a fast food restaurant killed two people and injured eight others.
• On 18 December 2008 in Iligan City, when two explosions in separate department stores killed two people and reportedly injured over 30 more.
• On 1 September 2008, an explosion at the bus terminal in Digos killed six people and injured a further 30.
  

There are ongoing clashes between the military and insurgent groups in the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. Since 10 August 2008 there have also been clashes between insurgent groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces of Mindanao.  There have been reports of civilian fatalities and thousands of people have been displaced.

Extortion and kidnap for ransom gangs, that have targeted public transport with armed hold-ups and explosions, operate in Mindanao. In particular, there have been attacks on buses in and around Digos.  We advise extreme caution in Digos and against using public transport throughout Mindanao.  We also advise extreme caution in Cagavan de Oro, where there is an ongoing threat of terrorist attack that could occur at any time or any place. 

There is also a threat of kidnapping in south west Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Foreign tourists have been targeted before, particularly in coastal areas. Most recently, an Irish priest was kidnapped from Pagadian City in Zamboana del Sur, Mindanao, on 11 October 2009 and later released on 12 November, 2009. Other recent incidents include three members of the International Red Cross, including two foreign nationals  kidnapped in Sulu on 15 February 2009, and a Sri Lankan national kidnapped in Basilan on 13 February 2009.  All three hostages have now been released. Previous incidents include an Italian national kidnapped on 10 June 2007 in Zamboanga Sibugay province and a group of four people, including two foreign nationals, kidnapped on 31 May 2007 near Pikit, Mindanao by an armed group. In all four cases they were subsequently released unharmed. 

You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

Air Travel