Philippines: Heightened kidnapping threat in Palawan Province

Event

The U.S. Embassy in Manila issued a travel advisory over a credible threat of increased kidnapping of foreign nationals in areas of Palawan Province, including Puerto Princesa City, and the areas surrounding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Terrorist groups are said to be behind the threat. 

The Embassy has advised individuals to make travel plans accordingly.

Context

Many Westerners live on Palawan, one of the country's major tourist destinations famed for its wildlife, white-sand beaches, scuba diving, and archaeological sites.

Kidnapping is a common occurrence in the southern Phillipines.Abu Sayyaf is known for kidnapping people for ransom in southwest Mindanao (especially in Zamboanga province) and in the Sulu Archipelago (Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan provinces). Sailors and foreigners are regularly abducted in the Sulu Sea. Abu Sayyaf beheaded a German hostage on February 27 in Indanan on Sulu Archipelago after the deadline for the payment of his ransom passed. In late April 2016, Abu Sayyaf executed a Canadian hostage who was captured in September 2015 on Jolo Island and beheaded two Canadian hostages in mid-June 2016 after failing to receive a ransom for their release. Nearly 30 people are still being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf, including Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Japanese, Canadian, and Dutch citizens.

Advice

Individuals present in the Philippines are advised to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities. Sailing in the Sulu Sea should be prohibited due to the high risk of kidnapping.