Manila summons Australian envoy

Manila summons Australian envoy

PHILIPPINES: Philippines foreign department officials on Friday summoned the Australian ambassador in Manila to explain Canberra's travel advisory on the Philippines, which Manila insists was an inaccurate portrayal of the situation on the ground.

Foreign Undersecretary Lauro Baja said he met with Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce over an Aug. 2 advisory by the Australian foreign department, which was updated on Aug. 19.

He said he took issue with the warning that "Australians should be alert to the dangers of kidnapping throughout the Philippines including in the capital Manila."

Aside from Australia, Baja said the foreign department would also ask the United States, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand to amend their respective travel advisories on the Philippines. --AFP