Philippines shrugs off Australia terror threat warning

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) – Philippine authorities assured Filipinos and foreign nationals on Saturday that it is safe in the Philippines.

The assurance was a response to the Australian government’s travel advisory on Friday, warning its citizens of a high terror threat in the country including the capital Manila.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines has verified the matter with the Australian Embassy and has found out that the travel advisory is a reiteration of a previous travel advisory issued earlier in May,” said military spokespersons Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla as quoted by state-run Philippine News Agency.

“It was reissued in a more succinct manner and may have an update next week following the end of combat operations in Marawi."

In a separate statement, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque allayed fears noting that Canberra’s (Australia’s capital) warning was "not a response to any specific threat."

"The Philippine government has no information about any increased terror threat in the county and we assure our foreign friends that local authorities have been enforcing tight security measures, especially in populated areas, while we urge everyone to continue being aware of one’s surroundings," Roque said as quoted by ABS-CBN News.

The Australian government warned its citizens traveling to the Philippines to exercise heightened caution and to be alert citing the high risk of a terrorist attack in the country.

Despite the end of combat operations in Marawi, Canberra’s warning specified that higher levels of caution must be applied in Central, Eastern and Western Mindanao due to very high levels of crime as well as kidnapping treats, terrorist attack, and clashes between armed groups.

As clarified with the Australian embassy, Canberra’s assessment has remained the same as it was at the height of the Marawi rebellion, said Roque.

"We reiterate that generally, it is safe to work, study, do business, and travel in the Philippines," Roque noted.