U.S. warns against travel to Philippines

The U.S. State Department has warned Americans considering travel to the Philippines that terrorist groups are thought to be planning attacks there. It urged that non-essential travel to the Philippines be avoided.

The advisory, issued Wednesday, said terrorist groups including Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf and parts of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are "planning multiple attacks throughout the Philippines" and said that Philippine government officials have released similar information.

Americans who choose to travel to the Philippines were urged "to observe vigilant personal security precautions; to remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks against Americans, U.S. or other Western interests in the Philippines, and to register with the U.S. Embassy. The Department warns against all but essential travel throughout the country in light of a heightened threat to Westerners."

Source: Associated Press and Seattle Times travel staff