AUSTRALIA, FRANCE REISSUED TRAVEL ADVISORY ON PHL / PALEA PROTESTS ANEW
MANILA, DECEMBER 3, 2010 (STAR) by Pia Lee-Brago – Australia revised and reissued today its travel advisory on the Philippines removing the reference to "imminent" threat of terrorist attack in Manila but the overall level of travel advice has not changed.
The main change in the travel advisory is the removal of the language that was added on the November 2 travel advice referring to "imminent" threat of terrorist attack in Manila.
In its November 2 travel advisory, Australia said reliable reports indicate that terrorist attacks may be imminent in Manila, including places frequented by foreigners such as large shopping malls and convention centres.
Australia is among the five countries that issued last month a travel advisory on the Philippines warning their nationals against possible terror attacks in the country.
Australia urged its nationals to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack and the high level of serious crime.
The reissued travel advisory retained the pre-existing language on terrorism and also no change in the level.
"Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila. We continue to receive credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners. You should avoid places known to be terrorist targets," the advisory said.
Australian nationals are strongly advised not to travel to Mindanao, including mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping, and related counter-terrorism operations.
France "modified" earlier its travel advisory on the Philippines, citing risk of terrorist attack" only in certain areas in Mindanao and not in the entire territory of the country. The travel advisory focus on rising criminality in the Philippines during the holiday season in warning French nationals in the country.
The advisory said "general crime and kidnappings" are rising throughout the country as the holiday season approaches and during this period. It also cited the robbery of a jewelry shop in a mall last November 14.
The Philippines was recently the subject of travel advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and Australia warning against travel to the country after an alleged "cargo bomb" against the United States were foiled. France and Australia are among the five countries that reassessed and modified their travel advisory on the Philippines.
FROM MANILA BULLETIN
PALEA threatens to stage protest actions anew December 3, 2010, 12:38pm
MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) on Thursday said it will stage protest actions next week to question anew the Philippine Airlines' move to illegally terminate about 3,000 employees as part of its outsourcing plans.
"We will urge President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to junk the resolution made by Department of Labor and Employment that said the PAL move is legal," PALEA Legal Counsel Marlon Manuel said.
Failure to get their concerns heard will prompt us to lead to mass protests, he said.
PALEA employees and members of Partido ng Manggagawa on Nov. 1 lighted candles and placed styrofoam tombstones in front of the DoLE office to symbolize the death of their livelihood in time for All Souls' Day.
DoLE had junked PALEA's June 28 motion for reconsideration of the earlier decision of former DOLE acting secretary Romeo Lagman to uphold PAL's planned outsourcing of services.
The DoLE issued a resolution upholding PAL's outsourcing move. In its decision, the DOLE said the 2,600 PAL employees who are part of its non-core services — in-flight catering, airport services (cargo handling), and call center reservations operations — are all guaranteed with employment and hefty transition benefits.
The non-core activities of the airline are defined in the company's 1998 Supplemental Rehabilitation Plan approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission
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