A Lack of Intelligence

Just 24 hours prior, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) downplayed a travel advisory released by the United States Embassy regarding terrorist activity in the traditionally peaceful Central Visayas region. The following day, the military found themselves in an armed encounter with members of the Islamic State-affiliated Abu Sayyaf Group in the island of […]

The Opening Salvo

It came as a shock when the United States Embassy in the Philippines issued a travel advisory warning for the Central Visayas region. The area is known for pristine, white sand beaches and minimal crime rates. As such, terrorism of any form was virtually unheard of. Hence the travel warning was taken with a grain of salt […]