November 29, 2002, The Philippine Star, Malacanang wants explanation on Australian, Canadian travel ban,

November 29, 2002, The Philippine Star, Malacanang wants explanation on Australian, Canadian travel ban,

The [Malacanang] Palace [presidential office] wants an explanation from Australia and Canada forbidding their citizens to travel to the Philippines. According to a media report, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the travel advisories issued by the Australian and Canadian governments banning travel to the country was unfair.

Golez scoffed at the warning issued by Australian and Canadian governments that civil disturbance was prevalent in the Philippines, noting that it was not chaotic in the streets. He also noted that the Arroyo administration had already coordinated with the intelligence communities of other nations and there seems to be no security threat within the Philippines despite the supposed terrorist threats to the Australian and Canadian embassies.

The two embassies closed Thursday [28 November] due to reports that they were targeted for terror attacks. Officials of the two countries said the threats were specific and that their nationals were being warned to avoid the Philippines.