Philippines Travel Advice

Tropical Storm Ketsana caused severe flooding in low lying areas of Metro Manila and Luzon on 26 September 2009. Some areas remain affected. Further rainfall is possible in northern Philippines and travellers are advised to check the latest weather forecasts and advisories: www.typhoon2000.ph. The typhoon season in the Philippines normally runs from July to November however typhoons can affect the country at any time. This is also the rainy season and flooding and landslides may occur. 

Travellers are advised against all travel to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of ongoing terrorist and insurgent activity. There have been terrorist attacks against civilian targets in Mindanao: in the past two years these have included roads, buses and shopping malls. Since 10 August 2008, there have been clashes between insurgent groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces of Mindanao. There have been reports of civilian fatalities and thousands of people remain displaced. There are also ongoing clashes between the military and insurgent groups in the Sulu archipelago including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. 

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 13 November 2007, a bomb exploded at Congress in Quezon City, Metro Manila resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe.

Visitors are required to show some identity if requested by police; photocopies of the relevant pages of passports are allowed.

There are periodic outbreaks of Dengue Fever (including in Manila), for which there is no vaccination or immunisation. An increase in the number of Dengue cases has been reported in 2008.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice: 

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel