WORLD : Philippines Travel Alert Issued

The State Department today warned Americans traveling to the Philippines that there is a heightened danger of terrorist attacks this week.

“Based on available information, the terrorist threat against U.S. personnel and facilities in the Philippines from the Communist Party and the Philippines New People’s Army remains serious,” said spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler.

“The United States government also notes that there is a heightened threat of attack during Holy Week, especially at sites of major public religious ceremonies, especially those near U.S. military facilities.”

She said that the U.S. government is not telling Americans not to travel to the Philippines but that the intention is “to advise them in our statement of those specific areas and to make them aware of this specific threat.”