Regional
Expect heightened security, travel disruption around Buddhist celebrations on 12 May
Expect heightened security related to Vesak (Buddha Purnima) on 12 May, marking the birth of Buddhism’s founder, Siddhartha Gautama. Celebrations will be held at Buddhist temples and monasteries in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Several countries will observe a government holiday on the day. Additional police officers will be deployed to establish checkpoints around event venues and key locations due to the presence of large crowds. Exercise vigilance and follow official directives.
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Australia
Urban centres: Expect localised disruption during demonstrations linked to Middle East conflict
Expect localised disruption in urban centres during demonstrations linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Pro-Palestinian rallies led by local activist groups regularly occur at major gathering points, transport hubs, government buildings and university campuses. Although such rallies have mostly been peaceful, scuffles between rival demonstrators may occur. Expect an increased police presence around related events.
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China
Tibet autonomous region: Continue to exercise caution following magnitude 5.6 earthquake west-south-west of Shigatse
Continue to exercise caution in the coming hours after a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck at 05.11 (local time) on 12 May. According to the US Geological Survey, the temblor originated approximately 76 miles (123km) west-south-west of Shigatse (Tibet autonomous region), at a depth of around six miles (10km). According to local authorities, there have been no reports of related damage or casualties. However, shaking was felt by residents in the area. Expect aftershocks and follow all official directives.
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Pakistan
Quetta (Balochistan province): Expect disruption, avoid opposition march on 15 May due to risk of unrest
Expect disruption and avoid a planned opposition march on 15 May in Quetta (Balochistan province) due to the risk of unrest. Originally planned as a pro-Palestinian demonstration by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, the event has expanded to support the Pakistani military amid heightened tensions with India (see separate alert). The exact time and start location of the march have not yet been announced. The event is liable to garner significant attendance and may be forcibly dispersed by the police. Any scuffles between demonstrators and the police would pose incidental risks to bystanders.
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Philippines
Silay City, environs (Negros Occidental province): Expect heightened security following fatal shooting
Expect heightened security in Silay City and its environs (Negros Occidental province) over the coming hours. The police responded to reports of a shooting early on 12 May outside a local political party’s headquarters in the Mambulac area. At least two people were reportedly killed and five others injured. The authorities are searching for two assailants, who reportedly fled the scene in a van. The motive behind the shooting is yet to be determined, however the incident coincides with voting for the mid-term election. Checkpoints have been set up in and around Silay City as part of the ongoing police search. Follow all official directives.
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Expect disruption during mid-term election voting day on 12 May (Revised)
Expect disruption and heightened security measures during the mid-term election period until 11 June. Voting day, on 12 May, is a public holiday. Additional security personnel have been deployed nationwide until 16 May. Buluan town (Maguindanao del Sur province) and Datu Odin Sinsuat (Maguindanao del Norte province) in the Bangsamoro region have been placed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control due to incidents of election-related violence and targeted attacks against candidates. All political gatherings should be avoided due to incidental risks posed to bystanders.
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