The Australian government issued a warning to its nationals against going to Mindanao following a deadly bomb explosion outside a shopping mall in Cotabato, Philippines, on New Year's Eve, reported Khaleej Times.

2 dead, 21 injured in blast in southern Philippines

Citing threats of terrorism, vicious violations and capturing, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade requested that citizens reevaluate travel to Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Sulu archipelago and southern Sulu Sea zone, detailed GMA News.

They also advised nationals to practice a "high degree of caution" when making a trip to the Philippines. 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that the tourism warning issued by Australia was only fair. Before Australia, the United Kingdom has also issued a similar warning.

While, The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday that the blast was as a act of dread after  initial blast  examinations uncovered the bomb's segments coordinated those of nearby Daesh-partnered  groups.

The PNP has formed a special investigative task force to probe the bombing but no captures have been made yet.

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