South Philippines warning

The Department of State warns of the risks of travel to the southern Philippines region, particularly the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao island.

Due to the high threat of kidnapping of international travelers and violence linked to insurgency and terrorism there, extreme caution should be taken on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, where, in 2013, separatist and terrorist groups increased the tempo and scale of bombings, attacks on civilians and political leaders, and battles with security forces. 

In September, elements of the Moro National Liberation Front  occupied portions of the city of Zamboanga and engaged in a lengthy battle with security forces, which reduced large parts of the city to rubble. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Front has been particularly active in the Cotabato City area and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.