蜜桃工作室

As far as Philippine authorities are concerned, there is no credible terror threat in the country.

Malaca帽ang said Wednesday that Australia鈥檚 issuance of a travel advisory on Friday, which warns its citizens of a 鈥渉igh threat of terrorist attack in the Philippines,鈥� had no cogent basis.

In a statement, acting presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Duterte administration understood Australia鈥檚 concern for its citizens鈥� safety but, at the same time, the administration was able to verify from Aussie officials that the latest advisory was not based on any specific threat.

鈥淭heir general threat assessment has remained the same as it was (at) the height of the Marawi rebellion, which we all know has already been resolved by our government forces,鈥� Roque said.

Roque issued the assurance apparently to dispel any security concerns as the Philippines is hosting from Nov. 12 to 15 a summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

World leaders attending

Besides the 10 Asean leaders, also attending the summit are United States President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and European Council President Donald Tusk.

Officials in the country have no knowledge of any new dangers, but remain vigilant and continue to enforce strict security measures, Roque said, adding:

鈥淭he Philippine government has no information about any increased terror threat in the county and we assure our foreign friends that local authorities have been enforcing tight security measures, especially in populated areas while we urge everyone to continue being aware of one鈥檚 surroundings.鈥�

Roque disclosed that other embassies had not issued new advisories concerning the Philippines.

鈥淲e reiterate that generally it is safe to work, study, do business and travel in the Philippines,鈥� he stressed.

Rehash

Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana downplayed the latest Australian travel advisory, basically describing it as rehash of a previous advisory.

In a statement he issued on Saturday, Lorenzana noted that the travel advisory was merely a 鈥渞eiteration of an advisory they (Australian government officials) issued in May of this year.鈥�

鈥淭his should not be a cause for undue alarm since issuing regular travel advisories to citizens is commonly practiced by many countries, including Australia, especially in the light of the spate of violent incidents that have been happening all over the world in recent times,鈥� Lorenzana said.

鈥楬eightened caution, possible threats鈥�

In the travel advisory, Australia urged its citizens to 鈥渆xercise heightened caution at this time. Be alert to possible threats around locations that have a low level of protective security and places known to be possible terrorist targets. The level of our advice has not changed.鈥�

It further advised Australian nationals to 鈥渆xercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines overall,鈥� particularly in some parts of the country where it noted a 鈥渄eterioration in security.鈥�

The advisory then warned its citizens against traveling to Central and Western Mindanao, including Marawi City, which was declared by President Duterte on Oct. 17 as 鈥渓iberated鈥� from Maute and Abu Sayyaf forces, five months after the fighting started. But the Islamic city remains a conflict zone due to the presence of around 36 militant 鈥渟tragglers.鈥�

However, Lorenzana urged the public to remain vigilant.

鈥淟et us all be mindful of our surroundings and work closely with government security forces to ensure that terrorism and violent extremism do not take root in our villages, towns and cities,鈥� he said.