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Philippines
Travel Warning
On
April 2, 2010, the U.S. Department of State released the following
Travel Warning:
The State Department
warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the southern
Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, and
urges extreme caution if traveling there. Sporadic violence
throughout the Philippines is also possible before and after the
May 10 national and local elections and the June 30
inaugurations.
Travelers should
exercise extreme caution if traveling in the central and western
portions of the island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of
the Sulu Archipelago. Regional terrorist groups have carried out
bombings resulting in injuries and death. Since August 2008,
sporadic clashes have occurred between lawless groups and the
Philippine Armed Forces in the Mindanao provinces of North
Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, as well as the Sulu
Archipelago.
Kidnap-for-ransom
gangs are active throughout the Philippines and have targeted
foreigners. U.S. Government employees must seek special
permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago.
Travelers to these areas should remain vigilant and avoid
congregating in public areas. Some foreigners who reside in or
visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security.
The Philippine
government declared a state of emergency on November 24, 2009,
for the two provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, as well
as Cotobato City, as a result of election-related violence.
This state of emergency is still in effect. Travelers should be
aware of heightened police activity and significant military
presence in these areas. They should carefully research
restrictions imposed upon travel and follow the instructions of
government officials with regard to limitations on movement.
U.S. citizens
traveling, living, and working throughout the Philippines are
urged to exercise heightened caution in public gathering places
where events may occur in relation to the May 2010 Philippine
elections and June inauguration. In past election years, deaths
have occurred because of election-related violence, even in the
period of time following election dates and inauguration
ceremonies. U.S. citizens should exercise caution when
traveling in the vicinity of demonstrations since they can turn
confrontational and possibly escalate to violence.
The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas
Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, the 24-hour telephone number is
63-2-301-2000. The American Citizens Services (ACS) section's
fax number is 63-2-301-2017 and the
ACS web page can be accessed
online.
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
On
January 20, 2010, the U.S. Department of State released the
following Travel Alert:
The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel
to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu
Archipelago and urges extreme caution if traveling there. This
Travel Alert replaces the Travel Alert dated November 24, 2009,
and reflects the continuing instability in the area following
acts of violence in the Mindanao province of Maguindanao in
November and is supplemental to our September 17, 2009, Travel
Warning to the Philippines. This Travel Alert expires on
February 28, 2010.
Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling in the
central and western portions of the island of Mindanao, as well
as in the islands of the Sulu Archipelago. The violence in
Maguindanao in 2009 and continued instability there resulted in
the Government of the Philippines extending a state of emergency
in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and in the
city of Cotabato. The state of emergency includes road
checkpoints conducted by the Philippine military and law
enforcement. If U.S. citizens travel to Maguindanao despite
this Travel Alert, they should understand there are heightened
tensions and there will be a significant military presence.
They should carefully research restrictions imposed upon travel
and follow the instructions of officials with regards to
limitations on movement.
Travelers to this area should remain vigilant and avoid
congregating in public areas. Some foreigners who reside in or
visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security.
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
Philippines declares emergency after 46 killed
Nov. 24, 2009
The
Philippine president placed two southern provinces under
emergency rule Tuesday as security forces unearthed more bodies,
pushing the death toll to 46 in some of the deadliest election
violence in the nation's history.
Hundreds evacuate as Mayon volcano spews ash
Nov.
12, 2009
ALBAY CITY -- One of the country's most active volcanoes shot up an ash
plume Wednesday, prompting hundreds of nearby residents to evacuate in
case of an eruption.
PHILIPPINES:October
19, 2009
The Philippines orderes imports of 250,000 tonnes of rice and lawmakers
rushed to approve funding for immediate rebuilding of farms and roads
badly damaged by two typhoons that
killed over 650 people. The Philippines, the world's biggest rice
buyer, would hold a tender two months earlier than normal on Oct. 30 for
the shipment of the grain, which it wants delivered between January and
April, the National Food Authority said.
The
Philippines turned its focus on Sunday from rescue operations to sending
relief to northern provinces devastated by floods and cut off by
landslides as the death toll from two typhoons in 14 days rose to more
than 600. Using shovels and their bare hands to avoid triggering more
landslides, rescue teams kept up a search for bodies in the areas of
northern Luzon island that remained isolated. In this statement, the
Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reminds us that up
to
400,000 people fled their homes in the south of the Philippines last
year to espace from fighting.
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
On July 10, 2009, the U.S.
Embassy Manila released the following Warden Message:
The U.S. Embassy informs American Citizens in the Philippines to
avoid the summit area of the Mayon Volcano, located in the Province
of Albay, approximately 300 kilometers (186.41 miles) southeast of
Manila, on the island of Luzon. The Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised its alert status for
the Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 2 indicating increasing volcanic
activity. This alert condition signifies a state of unrest which
could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic
eruption. Thus, at Alert Level 2, Phivolcs strongly recommends that
the 6 kilometers radius, called the "Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ),"
around the volcano and the 7 kilometers extended danger zone on the
southeast flank of the volcano are off limits due to the threat from
sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes. Active river
channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in
the southeast sector should also be avoided, especially during bad
weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.
Updated information on volcanoes in the Philippines is available on
the Web sites listed below. The Embassy encourages all Americans
residing in or visiting areas near volcanoes to consult these
websites frequently and to adhere to all safety instructions from
Philippine authorities.
American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the
Embassy at (63)(2) 301-2000. In case of an emergency outside
business hours, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer
through the Embassy operator at (63)(2) 301-2000. The U.S. Embassy
is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines. The
Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number is
(63)(2) 301-2017 and the ACS web page is at
http://manila.usembassy.gov.
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
On January 27, 2009,
the U.S. Department of State released
the following Travel Warning for the Philippines to warns U.S.
citizens of the risks of travel to the southern Philippine islands of
Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and urges extreme caution if traveling
there. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated February
13, 2008, and updates information on continuing threats due to terrorist
and insurgent activities.
Travelers should exercise extreme
caution if traveling in the central and western portions of the
island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu
Archipelago. Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings
resulting in injuries and death. Since August 2008, there have been
sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed
Forces in the Mindanao provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur
and Lanao del Norte, as well as the Sulu Archipelago. Kidnap for
ransom gangs are active and have targeted foreigners. U.S.
Government employees must seek special permission for travel to
Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. Travelers to these areas should
remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Some
foreigners who reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago
hire their own security.
Kidnap for ransom gangs operate in the Philippines. In October 2007, one
such gang abducted a visiting U.S. citizen whose whereabouts are unknown
at this time. Several other foreigners were also kidnapped for ransom in
2007. The New People’s Army (NPA), a terrorist organization, operates in
many rural areas of the Philippines, including in the northern island of
Luzon . While it has not targeted foreigners in several years, the NPA
could threaten U.S. citizens engaged in business or property management
activities, and it often demands “revolutionary taxes.”
Kidnap for ransom gangs operate in
the Philippines. In January 2007, one such gang abducted two U.S.
citizen children outside their home in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte, in
Mindanao. The New People’s Army (NPA), another terrorist organization,
operates in many rural areas of the Philippines, including in the
northern island of Luzon. While it has not targeted westerners in
several years, the NPA could threaten U.S. citizens engaged in business
or property management activities, and it often demands “revolutionary
taxes.”
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf
Group and the Jema’ah Islamiyah, and groups that have broken away from the
more mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation
Front have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries and property
damage. Recent incidents have occurred in urbanized areas in Mindanao. On
January 10, 2007, separate bombings in the cities of Kidapawan, Cotabato and
General Santos killed seven people and injured 41. While these incidents do
not appear to have targeted Westerners or Western interests, travelers
should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas.
Many people who reside in or visit areas
that face terrorist threats, such as in Mindanao, travel with their own
security force, avoid an obvious presence, or both. In some areas of the
Philippines, especially in Mindanao, visitors should avoid travel at night
outside metropolitan areas. U.S. Government employees must seek special
permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling
in Mindanao, U.S. official travelers attempt to lower their profile, limit
their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution.
No area of the Philippines is
immune from the possibility of a terrorist attack, although the southern
island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are particularly affected. One
of three bombs that exploded on February 14, 2005 was planted on a bus near
an upscale commercial district of Makati, Metro Manila, killing four
people. In December 2005, the U.S. Embassy closed its public services for
two days in response to threat information.
Travelers should be aware that
since security has increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists might
seek softer targets. Such targets could include, but are not limited to,
places where Americans and other Westerners might live, congregate, shop or
visit, including hotels, beach resorts, clubs, restaurants, shopping
centers, businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of
worship, schools, or public recreation events.
U.S. Government employees must seek
special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When
traveling in Mindanao , U.S. official travelers attempt to lower their
profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution. Some
foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their
own security.
The Department strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines to register
with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Manila through the State
Department’s travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov. The U.S.
Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard , Manila , Philippines , tel.
63-2-301-2000. The American Citizen Services (ACS) section’s fax number is
63-2-301-2017 and the ACS web page is at
http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3004.html.
Americans can obtain information on
travel and security in the Philippines from the Department of State by
calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States; or 202-501-4444 from
overseas.
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
U.S. citizens should also consult
the recent Public Announcement for the Philippines, the Department of
State's Consular Information Sheet for the Philippines and the Worldwide
Caution Public Announcement, located at
http://travel.state.gov/
to obtain updated information on travel and security within the
Philippines.
Haben Sie eine sichere
Reise!
Abbia un viaggio sicuro!
¡Tenga un viaje seguro!
Ayez un voyage sûr!
Have a safe trip!
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July 22, 2010 MEXICO
CITY – Mexico is facing a sort of perfect storm of floods that breed
mosquitoes, prompting a big increase in the number of hemorrhagic dengue
cases, the country's top epidemiological official said Wednesday.
July 1, 2010
The Mexican government announced on Tuesday the
end of the health alert for the AH1N1 flu virus after 14 months in which
1,289 people died in this country and 72,000 cases were registered.
. .
Thailand's PM declares emergencyApril
7, 2010
Thailand's prime minister declares a state of
emergency in Bangkok amid growing anti-government protests.In a televised address, Mr Abhisit said the move - which gives
sweeping new powers to the security forces to tackle protesters - would help
restore order. It comes hours after thousands of "red-shirt" protesters
marched on parliament - forcing MPs to flee the building.
January 5, 2010
BEIJING: The Chinese capital was in the grip of
its coldest weather in 20 years Tuesday after snow storms caused chaos,
while South Korea sent out an army of civil servants and soldiers to clear
clogged roads. China's national weather centre said the mercury dipped
Tuesday to minus 15.6 degrees Celsius (four Fahrenheit) - the lowest in more
than two decades, after Beijing was hit by its heaviest snowfall in 60 years
at the weekend.
UK Did Not Pass Plane Bomber Intel To the U.S.
January5, 2010
Gordon Brown's spokesman says there is "no suggestion" the UK passed
intelligence to the US that they did not act on, regarding the alleged
Detroit plane bomber.
It follows
reports that the White House accused the Prime Minister's
spokesman of making a "mistake" when he appeared, on Monday, to confirm the
UK told the US that
Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab had links to extremists over a year
ago.
October 22, 2009
Thailand has mounted one of its biggest
security operations in recent history with more than 36,000 military and
police to prevent anti-government demonstrators from overrunning a
summit of Asian leaders, an official spokesman said Thursday.
June3, 2009 East Asia / Pacific - Australia
Australia raised the H1N1 flu alert level in the worst
hit state of Victoria on Wednesday and warned more areas would follow as
the national total topped 500.
March
3, 2009 Americas - Mexico
More than 800 federal and local police have
been assigned to improve security in and around Mexico City's
international airport after a series of armed robberies against
travelers who exchanged money there, authorities announced Monday.
4 Indonesians die of bird flu; toll climbs to 119
March
3, 2009 East Asia / Pacific -
Indonesia Four Indonesians have died of
bird flu, bringing the death toll in the country hardest hit by the
disease over the past several years to 119, an official said Tuesday.
February 26, 2009
PHOENIX - The U.S. State Department and
universities around the country are warning college students headed for
Mexico for some spring-break partying of a surge in drug-related murder and
mayhem south of the border.
February
13, 2009
A Colgan Air-operated Continental Connection flight from Newark, N.J., to
Buffalo, N.Y., went down about six miles from its destination airport
Wednesday night, killing all 49 aboard and at least one person on the
ground. An FAA spokeswoman said there was no distress call before the
Bombardier Q400 dropped off the radar. Colgan Air is a subsidiary of
Pinnacle Airlines. Continental Airlines Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner said,
"Continental extends its deepest sympathy to the family members and loved
ones of those involved in this accident."
Bloomberg (2/13)
February
6, 2009
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been reported in more localities across
Vietnam, raising fears of a possible epidemic, official and media
reports said Friday.
Is China Covering up a New Bird Flu Epidemic?February
3, 2009
Certainly there seems to be very strong
evidence it is. There have already been eight reported cases of humans
contracting the potential deadly H5N1 virus, from which
five people have
died this year. And despite the fact that Hong Kong officials have been
finding dead birds infected with the virus washing up onto its shores in
recent days from the mainland, China has not made any official statement
concerning an outbreak among birds.
February 2, 2009 Thailandnews.net -- seeking political
asylum claiming they face persecution at home, because they fought alongside
U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. "Today we will send 190 Hmong
back to. . .
Japan rocked by major earthquake
July 16, 2007 An earthquake has struck central Japan, killing at least seven
people, flattening buildings and triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant.
Hundreds of people were injured when the 6.8-magnitude tremor struck the
Niigata area.
Feb.
26, 2007 Tokyo, Japan:In a move aimed at further
thwarting terrorist attacks, passengers on all international flights will be
prohibited from bringing aboard liquids in containers larger than 100
milliliters starting Thursday
South / Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan Earthquake PreparednessFeb.
13, 2007 Bishkek,Kyrgyzstan:
The
U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan would like to remind American Citizens that
Kyrgyzstan is located in a seismically-active zone.
Registration Rules Stir Up Confusion
Feb. 5, 2007 Moscow, Russia:
According to a new
law that came into effect Jan. 15, foreigners are now required to hand over
their registration papers to migration officials -- via their employer or
other sponsor -- every time they leave the country and re-register upon
subsequent entry into the country.
Large swathes of greater Jakarta ground to a halt yesterday
after the heaviest rain in at least five years left many areas of the
Indonesian capital several metres underwater.
BA
running normal flight schedule
Europe - United Kingdom British Airways is running flights as
normal from Heathrow and Gatwick after averting a strike by cabin crew.
Thai airport hit by runway cracks1/29/07 Bangkok -
Thailand's transport ministry is to recommend some domestic flights be
transferred from Bangkok's new airport to the decommissioned old one.
Islamabad Marriott
Hotel Attack Pakistan -
It was reported that on January 26, 2007, at
approximately 2:37 p.m. local time, a bomb exploded at the back area
of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Nestle dairy plant in Colombia destroyed
Americas - Colombia
A pickup truck carrying 660 pounds of
explosives destroyed a dairy plant owned by
Swiss food giant Nestle SA in southern Colombia,
an attack police attributed Thursday to leftist
rebels
East Asia / Pacific -
Philippines
Philippine troops closed in Thursday on another
veteran of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group, a day
after announcing the death of a senior leader
wanted in the beheading of a California tourist.
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