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September 12, 2014

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Security alert as China puts Philippines out of bounds

CHINA yesterday warned its citizens not to travel to the Philippines due to a deteriorating security situation, and urged Chinese institutions there to raise their safety awareness.

It also urged the Philippines to protect its institutions and staff there after a plot to bomb the Chinese embassy was foiled.

Police in the Philippines have said criminal gangs are planning to attack the Chinese embassy as well as Chinese-funded companies and shops, China’s foreign ministry said.

“Given that the safety situation in the Philippines is deteriorating, the consular service of the foreign ministry is asking Chinese nationals not to travel to the Philippines for the time being,” the warning read.

Chinese embassy in Manila confirmed last night that a Chinese businessman was kidnapped in southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday night.

Eighteen-year-old Li Peizhi was seized by unidentified gunmen in Zamboanga Sibugay province’s Kabasalan township, Senior Inspector Leo Castillo told The Associated Press.

Castillo, the provincial police spokesman, said officers hunting for the kidnappers had found their vehicle on fire in a village about 2 kilometers away.

Travel agencies in Shanghai have canceled all trips to the Philippines and stopped selling new ones following the ministry’s warning.

Shanghai Spring Tour said it had stopped selling package trips after receiving the warning. About 100 people had paid for tours to the country, most of which were arranged for the National Day holiday, it said.

All the people affected will be given a full refund, it said.

Shanghai Datong Travel Agency and online travel company Ctrip issued similar messages regarding cancellations and refunds.

Last year, more than 81,000 people from Shanghai visited the Philippines as part of organized tour groups, making it the eighth most popular overseas destination.

In 2012, the number of Shanghai tourists to the Philippines in organized groups fell below 34,000, from almost 39,000 the year before, due to a territorial dispute over Huangyan Island.




 

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