Asia and Oceania

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to south west Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of ongoing terrorist and insurgent activity. We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao. There have been terrorist attacks against civilian targets in Mindanao: in the past two years these have included roads, buses and shopping malls. Since 10 August 2008 there have 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 remain displaced. See the Terrorism and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There are also ongoing clashes between the military and insurgent groups in the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo.  See the Terrorism and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines. On 13 November 2007, a bomb exploded at Congress in Quezon City, Metro Manila resulting in a number of deaths and injuries. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• There is a threat from kidnapping in the Philippines. An Irish priest was kidnapped from Pagadian City in Zambonana del Sur, Mindanao, on 11 October 2009 and later released on 12 November 2009.
  
  
• Tropical Storms Ketsana and Parma have caused severe flooding in low lying areas of Metro Manila and Luzon.  Some areas remain affected.  You can access the latest information on the National Disaster Coordinating Council's website at: ndcc.gov.ph. Heavy rainfall in northern Philippines has resulted in flooding and landslides.  You are advised to check the latest weather forecasts and advisories: http://www.typhoon2000.ph. The typhoon season in the Philippines normally runs from July to November however typhoons can affect the country at any time.  See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more information.
  
  
• There is sustained community transmission of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in the Philippines.  The Philippine Department of Health has a swine flu website at www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1 which contains information about the latest situation and government response. If you are suspected or confirmed with Swine Flu you may experience difficulties travelling until you are given medical clearance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• Around 70,000 British tourists visit the Philippines every year (Source: Philippines Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. 138 British nationals required consular assistance in the Philippines in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (44 cases); hospitalisations (27 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (23 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (79 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. In particular you should be aware that your insurance company might not extend cover to areas to which the FCO advises against travel. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.