November 23, 2015
A Kiwi beauty queen (click here) has ditched a pageant in the Philippines because of concerns about her safety.
Christchurch's Nicole Harding, 22, who has been in Manila representing New Zealand at the Miss Pancontinental pageant, told fans on social media she had to leave the competition a week before it ended.
"Due to my safety and security the New Zealand Embassy has decided that it is best if I fly back to New Zealand," she wrote.
"I'm saddened that this has to come to an end as I have worked so hard to get here but with the lack of organisation, climate and security it is unsafe for me to be here any longer."
After comments from some of her Facebook fans and friends, Harding said the trip had been a "complete nightmare".
"It's awful over here have been through hell and back. Just trying to get home safely."
Harding is believed to be making her way back to New Zealand. A government official in the Philippines suggested leaving the country, she said.
Ashley Clark, who was representing the United States, said she was leaving on the advice of her Government.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the New Zealand embassy in the Philippines did not provide the advice to leave the area.
Its safe travel advisory for central and western Mindanao is set at extreme risk, and high risk for the rest of Mindanao. There is some risk to security elsewhere in the Philippines, including in Manila, due to the threat of terrorism, risk of kidnapping and violent crime and it advises "caution".
November 18, 2015
Kuala Lumpur, Manila (Reuters) - A small al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group (click here) has executed a Malaysian businessman held captive since May on the southern Philippine island of Jolo, the Malaysian government said on Wednesday.
The Philippine military earlier said it was investigating credible intelligence reports that Abu Sayyaf militants had beheaded Bernard Then on Tuesday.
On his Facebook page, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was shocked and sickened at the killing and demanded the perpetrators be brought to justice. Asked by Reuters if the man was beheaded, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed would only say his death was "violent".
Philippine Brigadier-General Alan Arrojado, army commander on Jolo, said the Malaysian was killed in the town of Indanan.
While the execution is far to the south of the capital Manila, where world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama are attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, it is a reminder of the security challenges small Islamist groups still pose to the Philippines....
A Kiwi beauty queen (click here) has ditched a pageant in the Philippines because of concerns about her safety.
Christchurch's Nicole Harding, 22, who has been in Manila representing New Zealand at the Miss Pancontinental pageant, told fans on social media she had to leave the competition a week before it ended.
"Due to my safety and security the New Zealand Embassy has decided that it is best if I fly back to New Zealand," she wrote.
"I'm saddened that this has to come to an end as I have worked so hard to get here but with the lack of organisation, climate and security it is unsafe for me to be here any longer."
After comments from some of her Facebook fans and friends, Harding said the trip had been a "complete nightmare".
"It's awful over here have been through hell and back. Just trying to get home safely."
Harding is believed to be making her way back to New Zealand. A government official in the Philippines suggested leaving the country, she said.
Ashley Clark, who was representing the United States, said she was leaving on the advice of her Government.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the New Zealand embassy in the Philippines did not provide the advice to leave the area.
Its safe travel advisory for central and western Mindanao is set at extreme risk, and high risk for the rest of Mindanao. There is some risk to security elsewhere in the Philippines, including in Manila, due to the threat of terrorism, risk of kidnapping and violent crime and it advises "caution".
Kuala Lumpur, Manila (Reuters) - A small al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group (click here) has executed a Malaysian businessman held captive since May on the southern Philippine island of Jolo, the Malaysian government said on Wednesday.
The Philippine military earlier said it was investigating credible intelligence reports that Abu Sayyaf militants had beheaded Bernard Then on Tuesday.
On his Facebook page, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was shocked and sickened at the killing and demanded the perpetrators be brought to justice. Asked by Reuters if the man was beheaded, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed would only say his death was "violent".
Philippine Brigadier-General Alan Arrojado, army commander on Jolo, said the Malaysian was killed in the town of Indanan.
While the execution is far to the south of the capital Manila, where world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama are attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, it is a reminder of the security challenges small Islamist groups still pose to the Philippines....
