In its Dec. 30 update, the Hong Kong Security Bureau said some foreign governments had noted the risk of “possible terrorist attacks.”
“Some overseas administrations had noted the risk on possible terrorist attacks, including places frequented by foreigners, such as large shopping malls and convention centers,” it said.
It also noted Yolanda’s effects, including “widespread damage. Food and water shortages, deteriorating hygienic conditions, electricity outages and poor communications” in affected areas.
Hong Kong has not changed its black travel warning on the Philippines since Aug. 23, 2010, when a dismissed policeman took a busload of Hong Kong tourists hostage to demand his reinstatement. He and some of his hostages were killed in a botched rescue try.
The black travel alert is the most serious in Hong Kong’s three-tier outbound travel alert system. The others include red (significant threat) and amber (signs of threat). The Philippines is one of only three countries to be assigned the black alert. The others are Egypt and Syria. — BM, GMA News
