US travel warning vs Zamboanga remains active

Top photo: US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney cuts the ribbon during the EQuALLS2 Book Donation, Reading Corner and Skills Training for out-of school children and youth at Social Development Center in Santa Barbara, Zamboanga City, last Thursday.

The United States (US) government travel warnings to its citizens who want to visit Zamboanga City and other parts in Mindanao still stand.

"Our travel advisory is still in active," US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said yesterday in an interview at Cabaluay National High School.

Kenney did not elaborate, but said that there's no more place for those people who continue to disrupt ordinary peaceful citizens in the region.

Meanwhile, Kenney said that US is absolutely ready to support the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front with some quick disbursing assistance.

"Good luck and good will go to Secretary Esperon but also with our good friends in the MILF. I think there are a lot of people who want peace," she added.

Kenney was in the city along with other high ranking officials of the US and Philippine governments, including former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, now the new peace process adviser.

While in the city, Kenney joined Mayor Celso Lobregat in releasing a turtle off the waters at the Paseo del Mar. The turtle lost its way and landed in the beach of Bolong and was turned over to DENR on Wednesday.

They visited the Social Development Center at Barangay Sta. Barbara for a book turnover and skills training for out-of-school children and youth under the USAID-EQUALLS2 project.

Subsequently, the officials proceeded to Cabaluay National High School for the Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) Project of USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program turnover ceremony.

Up to this time, other countries like Australia and Canada are yet to lift their travel warnings against the city.

Last April 1, 2008, the US Embassy in Manila issued a warden message warning that extremists may be planning to kidnap Americans or other foreigners at hotels or other public places in the Zamboanga City area.

This was followed by Australian advising its citizens not to travel to Zamboanga City as kidnap for ransom gangs are active in the mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Sulu Archipelago.

The advisory repeated its previous warnings against "high threat of terrorist attack," recalled the various previous attacks, and advised its citizens against frequenting places like malls, churches, and resorts.

"Credible information indicates terrorists may be in the advanced stages of planning attacks. The attacks may be imminent and could occur at any time, anywhere in Mindanao. Attacks could occur in the lead up to and following religious celebrations," it said.

Local officials here led by Mayo Lobregat have been urging on the US and other foreign countries, including Australia and Canada, to lift their travel warnings against Zamboanga City to boost its tourism.

The city government had initially taken steps like the promotion of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City and communication activities in coordination with other institutions to make foreign countries convinced that the city was in peaceful condition. (HG)