MILF, NPA FORM ALLIANCE TO PROTECT TERRITORY; UK ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY

KORONADAL CITY, December 5, 2003  (STAR) By Ramil Bajo — The Moro Islamic National Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have reportedly forged a tactical alliance by consolidating their forces to prevent politicians and government forces from entering five remote barangays in T’boli, South Cotabato.

T’boli police head chief inspector David Quistadio, however, refused to confirm the report but said that in the last elections the two rebel groups agreed to strengthen their presence in their ‘controlled territories’ to prevent politicians from going there.

"Sa ngayon wala pa kaming naririnig pero posibleng mangyari uli na bumuo sila ng alyansa para protektahan ang kanilang lugar (As of now, we haven’t heard of a formal alliance but it is possible that they could team up again to protect their territory)," Quistadio, who attended the culmination activities of the province’s anti-drug abuse prevention and control month celebration here, said.

Quistadio disclosed that the areas where the NPA and MILF have reportedly set up bases are in Barangays Falcon, Basag, Malunggong, Aflek and Madis.

He said these villages are very far from the town proper and are not accessible by any vehicle.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials reportedly used a helicopter to deliver and take back the ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia in the last elections.

T’boli, a remote town in South Cotabato, is 25 kilometers away or about an hour’s drive from this city.

UK issues travel warning vs RP By Marvin Sy The Philippine Star 12/05/2003

The United Kingdom has issued another warning to its citizens not to travel to the Philippines due to threats of terrorism and kidnappings.

The latest travel advisory of the British government said "there continue to be threats against Western interests and there is a danger of collateral damage from terrorist attacks targeted at others."

British citizens have been warned against traveling to central, southern and western Mindanao, particularly to Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

Non-essential travel to Metro Manila, Palawan and coastal resorts and tourist centers in the coun in the Philippines, primarily in Mindanao, Basilan and the Sulu archipelago and Tawi-Tawi. Manila is also targeted," the advisory said.

Kidnapping became one of the major concerns by other countries on the Philippines, the focus of which started in Mindanao but shifted to Metro Manila.

Last May, the British government joined the United States, Australian and New Zealand governments in advising their citizens to avoid the southern Philippines, following intelligence reports of imminent terrorist attacks there.

In October, the governments of New Zealand and Australia warned their citizens on the threats of kidnappings.

The earlier British advisory pointed out the same threat of kidnappings and bombings "throughout the Philippines."

The same advisory cited risks of taking all forms of public transport in the country as well frequenting public places, entertainment spots and places of worship.

The latest travel warning issued by the British government, on the other hand, also mentioned heightened "political tensions" generated by the preparations for the May 2004 general elections.

However, the advisory acknowledged the Philippine government is making efforts to neutralize the terrorist threat in implementing tighter security measures in Metro Manila and other "high risk" areas in the country.

The issuance of travel advisories has been a major concern of countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Asean nations scored the Western countries for issuing travel warnings which tend to hurt their economies and regional tourism.

Only last month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople criticized as "unfair" the travel advisories issued by the US and Australia against the Philippines.

The World Tourism Organization also criticized the Western countries for issuing advisories that were too general and destructive to the image of the nations concerned.

The US, Canada and Australia, which had issued earlier adverse travel warnings, maintained it was their duty to inform their nationals of the situation in different countries.