Sabah, Malaysia, alert

A key leader of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, based in the Philippines, was among those killed by Philippine troops on a remote southern island in February. The militant leader was involved in the kidnapping of 21 people from a resort in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, in 2000.

Because of possible reprisals, the US Department of State is urging caution in areas of eastern Sabah, including the town of Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan.