U.S. warns citizens in PH against 'terrorist kidnap' plot

Do not go to Zamboanga peninsula.
 
This is what the United States tells all American citizens currently in the Philippines, amid a “credible threat of terrorist kidnap for ransom plot against foreigners" in Mindanao.



U.S. citizens who are planning to visit Zamboanga provinces to postpone their trips at least until June 12.
 
“The Embassy advises all American citizens residing in or planning to travel to the Zamboanga area to reevaluate their personal safety situation and consider postponing travel to this area at this time,” the US embassy said. 
 
Asking American nationals to re-evaluate their personal safety situation, the U.S. embassy even directed U.S. government personnel already in Zamboanga 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,” it added.
 
In its January 30 travel warning, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines amid continuing threats from terrorist and insurgent groups in Sulu. 
 
The alert came a few days after even Marine soldiers were killed in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu, on Saturday. 
 
Around 20 soldiers were sent to Tugas in Patikul for a mission to track down the kidnappers of Casilda Villarasa, wife of Sgt. Faustino Villarasa.
 
Local police believe the soldiers were on their way to their detachment when a group of 50 men attacked, leaving soldiers dead on the spot and wounding nine others.