Embassies of five countries issued travel warning cautioning their citizens against traveling to populated areas after bombing in Davao.
The deadly explosion in Roxas Avenue, in the city of Davao, has pushed big and small countries to warn their citizens against going to places, especially in the southern Philippines.
As of press time, 15 people lost their lives and 71 were injured after the bombing at the night market of Davao City on Friday night, September 2. Many victims are still critical at the hospital.
Following this incident, at least five countries have already issued travel warnings to their citizens in the Philippines to remind them of extra caution while staying in the country.
The five countries informed their citizens of the “state of lawlessness” declared by President Rodrigo Duterte.
These include Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore which released advisories for their citizens through their respective embassies in Manila.
Australia told its nationals to reconsider their plans to go to the eastern part of Mindanao, including Davao City, “and to bear in mind high degree of caution in the Philippines.”
“Higher levels apply in some parts of the country,” the Australian embassy’s travel advisory said.
The United States embassy, on the other hand, has temporarily suspended all official travel of its citizens to Mindanao.
“While we have no information that indicates there is a direct threat to U.S. citizens or interests in the Philippines, the Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and employ sound personal security measures as you go about your day,” it said.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, told its citizens to avoid travelling to south-west Mindanao and Sulu, where the Abu Sayyaf are present.
The Canadian government, on the other hand, updated its “security tab” and advised its citizens from traveling to Mindanao and Sulu.
As we can recall, the Abu Sayyaf had kidnapped Canadian nationals in Samal Island, where the two victims were beheaded by the terrorists after their ransom demands were not met.
The Global Affairs Canadian advisory said, “There is no nationwide advisory in effect for the Philippines. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to an ongoing terrorist threat to Westerners and Western interests”.
The Singapore embassy located in Manila also called the attention of its citizens to “exercise vigilance” as it condemned the bomb attack in Davao City.
“Singaporeans in the Philippines are advised to exercise vigilance, and monitor the local news and instructions of the local authorities,” it said.
“Singapore condemns the bomb explosion in Davao City, the Philippines, on 2 September 2016, which killed and injured many innocent people. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Singapore embassy added.