MANILA – France and New Zealand have joined the growing list of countries that have warned their citizens against travelling to certain parts of the Philippines.

The travel advisories from France and New Zealand, which followed earlier warnings from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, were issued in the wake of the foiled attack of the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group in Bohol.

In its travel advisory, the French Embassy in Manila cited “credible reports of threats of kidnapping by terrorist groups in the Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu and Bohol.”

“The Philippine police are also taking the threat seriously and have already taken steps to protect tourists and foreigners,” the Embassy said in a travel alert updated Wednesday.

"Even if this threat remains unclear in the concerned areas, increased vigilance remains crucial," it said.

The New Zealand government, on the other hand, told its citizens of an “extreme risk” to their security in Central and Western Mindanao, including the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Also included in the flagged areas are the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We advise against all travel to these areas. The very high threat of terrorist activity, kidnapping and violent clashes between the military/police and terrorist or rebel groups makes travel to these areas extremely dangerous,” it said.

The travel alerts come on the heels of a bloody clash between the military and suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels in Bohol, which has killed at least 10 people, including Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand comprise the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of English-speaking countries.