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