16 Dec 2011

Australians advised to leave Mindanao

6:15 am on 16 December 2011

Australia has issued new travel advice for the southern Philippines, advising Australians in western and central Mindanao to leave immediately.

The advice to leave follows recent kidnappings and bombings in parts of Mindanao.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says there is increased risk of further activity over the Christmas and New Year period.

The warning includes the Sulu Archipelago and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Australian expat Warren Rodwell, 53, was abducted by armed gunmen from his home on Mindanao Island on Monday night last week. The ABC reports a group of about six armed men took him away by speedboat and he is still missing.