MANILA, Philippines - Following a recent travel advisory by the United States, the British and Canadian governments have also advised its citizens to postpone non-essential travel to parts of Mindanao due to kidnapping threats and high level of terrorist and insurgent activity.

In its advisory issued last Thursday, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised British citizens against all travel to southwest Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago "because of ongoing terrorist and insurgent activity."

It also advised against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao for the same reason.

"We advise against all travel to southwest Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago covering the following areas: Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), including the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, plus the western provinces of Sarangani, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay," the advisory said.

The advisory noted that the terrorism threat in the Philippines remains high and could affect places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

It also noted that foreigners remain under threat from kidnappers, citing the recent abduction of Swiss-Filipino businessman Carl Reith in Zamboanga City last April 4.

The advisory also noted the recent European Commission ban on all air carriers certified in the Philippines starting April 1. It said the EU ban was imposed because Philippine regulators failed to verify if local carriers comply with international safety standards.

"We recommend that you avoid flying with Philippine-certified airlines subject to the EU operating ban, which came into effect from 1 April 2010," it said.

The Canadian government also advised its citizens against traveling to ARMM as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Sarangani, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Sur (excluding urban areas of Davao City), South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

"Canadians living or visiting the region are advised to review their security situation and to take appropriate precautions, particularly when visiting places frequented by foreigners such as resorts. There is a serious threat of kidnapping against foreigners," the advisory noted.

It said that aside from bombings and terrorist threats, Canadians should take extra precaution in areas such as  Cotabato City, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat where a state of emergency remains in effect.

The Philippines military, meanwhile, said it was unfortunate that Britain and Canada had issued travel advisories to its citizens in the light of the latest kidnapping in Zamboanga City.

“It is unfortunate on our part as this may affect our tourism industry. However we cannot blame the British and Canadian governments in wanting to ensure the safety of their citizens,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres.

“Though this may be the case, we want them assured that we are doing our best to improve the security situation in the country especially in the southern part,” he said.

Torres said the military is in close coordination with the Philippine National police and the local Crisis Management Committee “to ensure the safe rescue and recovery of the victim at the soonest possible time.”

Reith was snatched by suspected members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels at his beach resort. His German friend, Karl Reichling, managed to escape although he suffered a black eye.

AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said they have yet to establish contact with the kidnappers. Also, he said the military yet to determine the whereabouts of the ailing victim and his captors.