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A Philippine policeman checks some unclaimed luggage at the entrance of Terminal 3 of the Manila International Airport on Sept. 1, 2014. (Photo: the Beijing News)
(ECNS) – Chinese travel agencies have shelved Philippines tour packages and jumpstarted an emergency warning system to bring Chinese tourists back from the Philippines. The move comes after three attacks were carried out there against Chinese nationals within five days.
The latest incident was on the morning of Sept 13, when a Chinese citizen was fatally wounded by a gunshot in Bulacan province's Meycauayan city.
In a separate incident on Sept 11, 18-year-old Li Peizhi, who worked at a family-run store, was abducted by unidentified gunmen in Zamboanga Sibugay province's Kabasalan.
On Sept 8, a Chinese citizen was kidnapped by two Philippine policemen and managed to slip away when the kidnappers were asleep.
On Sept 1, Philippine police arrested three men plotting to set off bombs at various locations in Manila, including the Chinese Embassy, the Manila International Airport, and at least one shopping mall.
The Chinese Embassy to the Philippines has issued a travel warning to citizens not to visit the Philippines for the time being. Manila said on Sept 13 that it would ensure the safety of Chinese citizens.
Almost all travel agencies in big cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou have stopped the sale of Philippines tour packages. Smaller cities such as Changsha and Zhengzhou are also reporting a suspension of such tour products.
"We have suspended all of our Philippines tour packages since Sept 12, most of which are to Boracay Island," said a person with Ctrip, one of China's largest online travel agencies.
Ctrip still has about a hundred tourists in the Philippines. Their itineraries remain unaffected, and the last group of travelers is set to return to China on Sept 16.
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