PHILIPPENES Travel Warning

February 13, 2008

This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation and reminds Americans of the risks of travel in the Philippines. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Philippines issued April 27, 2007.

U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including those due to terrorism. While travelers may encounter such threats anywhere in the Philippines, the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular concern. Travelers should exercise extreme caution in both central and western Mindanao as well as in the Sulu Archipelago.

Kidnap for ransom gangs operate in the Philippines. In October 2007, one such gang abducted a visiting U.S. citizen whose whereabouts are unknown at this time. Several other foreigners were also kidnapped for ransom in 2007. The New People’s Army (NPA), a terrorist organization, operates in many rural areas of the Philippines, including in the northern island of Luzon. While it has not targeted foreigners in several years, the NPA could threaten U.S. citizens engaged in business or property management activities, and it often demands “revolutionary taxes.”

Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Jema’ah Islamiyah, and groups that have broken away from the more mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation Front, have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries and property damage.

On January 3, 2008, a bomb exploded at a Cotabato City disco pub, killing one and injuring eight. The central and western areas of Mindanao have also experienced bombings targeting bus terminals and public buildings. While those responsible do not appear to have targeted foreigners, travelers should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas; a recent bombing outside the House of Representatives in Metro Manila resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to bystanders.

U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling in Mindanao, U.S.

official travelers attempt to lower their profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution. Some foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their own security.

The Department strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Manila through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy is located at:

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. 63-2-301-2000. The American Citizen Services (ACS) section’s fax number is 63-2-301-2017 and the ACS web page is at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3004.html.

For information on general crime and security issues, U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for the Philippines and the Worldwide Caution, located at http://travel.state.gov/. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

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U.S. Embassy Manila

Warden Message

February 01, 2008

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.

Increases to U.S. Passport Fees and

New Parental Signature Requirements for U.S. Minors

On February 1, 2008, the U.S. Government will increase its fees for certain U.S. citizen passport services. For adult applicants renewing a passport, the total fee will increase to $75. For first-time applicants age 16 and over, the total fee will increase to $100. The fee for minors under 16 years of age will be $85.

Effective February 1, 2008, passport applicants who are U.S. citizen minors under the age of 16 must appear personally with their parents to establish identity, proof of citizenship and proof of relationship. For parental application permission, both parents must appear together and sign, or one parent may appear to sign and submit the other parent s notarized statement, or one parent may appear, sign, and submit primary evidence of sole authority. Minors age 16 and 17 may apply in person with their own identification, but for security reasons, parental consent may be required. If your child does not have identification of their own, a parent will be required to accompany the child and present identification.

Please refer to the Department of States website at www.travel.state.gov for complete information on all new requirements, including downloadable revised forms that must be used as of February 1, and the U.S. Embassy website at manila.usembassy.gov, for complete U.S. passport application instructions.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy s website manila.usembassy.gov and the U.S. Department of State’s travel website at www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. The U.S.

Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to “A Safe Trip Abroad,” found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Citizens living and residing in the Philippines are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State’s automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via e-mail or by calling (02) 301-2000. This complete message is available on the Embassys website at manila.usembassy.gov. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. (02) 301-2000. The Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section’s fax number is (02) 301-2017.

THIS E-MAIL IS UNCLASSIFIED BASED ON THE DEFINITIONS PROVIDED IN E.O. 12958.

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THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THANK YOU.

U.S. PASSPORT FEE CHANGES

Beginning February 1, 2008, the Department of State will institute a new fee schedule for passport (book style) services. Fees are being adjusted to cover the cost of providing efficient and secure passport services. The new passport fees are as follows: The passport fee for first-time adult applicants (age 16 and older) will be $100. For adult applicants eligible to renew a passport using Form DS-82, the fee will be $75. For children under age 16 the fee will be $85. Minors under the age of 16 are eligible to receive a 5-year passport. Adult applicants (age 16 and older) are eligible to receive a 10-year passport.

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THE NEW U.S. PASSPORT CARD

U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning February 1, 2008, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport.

The passport card is by definition a passport and will be considered proof of U.S. citizenship. The card may not, however, be used to travel by air. The passport card will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards. The card will have the same period of validity as the passport book: ten years for an adult (age 16 and older), and five years for children 15 years and younger. If you already have a passport book, you may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. The fee for a first-time adult applicant will be $45. The fee for a minor applicant under the age of 16 will be $35.

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U.S. Embassy Manila

Warden Message

January 15, 2008

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES.  PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.  THANK YOU.

Philippines Civil Aviation Safety Caution

On December 26, 2007, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed the Government of the Philippines that it has revised the Philippines aviation safety oversight category from Category 1 to Category 2 due to serious concerns about the Philippine Air Transportation Office s oversight of air carrier operations.  Category 2 indicates that the FAA has assessed the Government of the Philippines Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards for the oversight of Philippine air carrier operations.  While in Category 2, Philippine air carriers will be permitted to continue current operations to the United States, but will be under heightened FAA surveillance.  For more information, travelers may visit the FAA s website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa. 
Whenever possible, Americans traveling to and from the Philippines should fly to their destinations on international carriers from countries whose civil aviation authorities meet international aviation safety standards for the oversight of their air carrier operations under the FAA s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. 
The Embassy strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines, including short-term visitors, to register with the Embassy in Manila.  Registration may be done on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov.
Information on registration procedures, all security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, and recent Embassy warden messages are posted on the Embassy’s website at http://manila.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. 63-2-301-2000. The Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section’s fax number is 63-2-301-2017.

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WARDEN NOTICE

October 17, 2007

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES.  PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.  THANK YOU.

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The American Citizens Services section, U.S. Embassy Manila, will be closed on October 24, 2007 for passport/citizenship appointments and routine business.  American citizens in emergency situations may call the U.S. Embassy Operator at (02) 301-2000 and request to speak with the American Citizen Services Duty officer. 

The U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu will have regular working hours on October 24, 2007.

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