Threat Alert
Philippines - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Philippines - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
Security AdvisoryElevatedActive
Philippines
August 2, 2026
Confidence
Verified
Source Reliability
Official
Source
U.S. State Department Travel Advisories
Affected Countries
Philippines
Source organization: U.S. State Department Travel Advisories.
Recommended Actions
- review with minor edits.
- Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
- Do Not Travel to: The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping .
- Reconsider Travel to: Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping .
- Avoid demonstrations.
- Review the Country Security Report for the Philippines.
- Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
- Do Not Travel Do not travel to these areas for any reason.
- Reconsider Travel Terrorist and armed groups in Mindanao have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom, in addition to bombings and other attacks.