TRAVEL WARNINGS TO THE PHILIPPINES

DFAT

This advice has been reviewed and updated. It contains new information including on the need to take care when swimming off coastal areas. Severe undercurrents (rips) are common in coastal areas and many foreign tourists have drowned, including in popular resort areas. There have also been reports of pollution causing illness to swimmers in coastal resort areas (see Local travel). The level of advice has not changed. We continue to advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines. We continue to strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago and in the southern Sulu Sea area, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups. We continue to advise you to reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao.

Summary

Philippines overall

• Exercise normal safety precautions
• Exercise a high degree of caution
• Reconsider your need to travel
• Do not travel

Eastern Mindanao

• Exercise normal safety precautions
• Exercise a high degree of caution
• Reconsider your need to travel
• Do not travel

Central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Sulu Archipelago and southern Sulu Sea area

• Exercise normal safety precautions
• Exercise a high degree of caution
• Reconsider your need to travel
• Do not travel

 

• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines due to the high threat of a terrorist attack and the high level of crime. You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times. Monitor the media and other sources about possible new security risks.
• Violent crime is a significant problem in the Philippines. See Safety and security.
• Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila. You should avoid places known to be terrorist targets. See Safety and security.
• There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout the Philippines. The threat is highest in the southern Philippines, including coastal and island tourist resorts and dive sites, including in remote locations in the Sulu Sea and along the Zamboanga Peninsula. Groups based in the south are capable of carrying out kidnappings and launching attacks in other parts of the Philippines, including areas surrounding the Sulu Sea such as Palawan, and other locations frequented by tourists.
• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao (including the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental) due to the very high levels of violent crime and the high threat of terrorist attack.
• We advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago and in the southern Sulu Sea area, due to the very high threat of kidnapping, terrorist attack, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups.
• The typhoon season normally runs from late May to December. This is also the rainy season when tropical storms, flooding and landslides may occur.
• See Travel Smart for general advice for all travellers. * Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
• organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
• register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency