Rodriguez urges DFA to summon U.S. envoy over ‘unfair’ travel advisory

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is being urged to summon the United States ambassador to explain America’s “unfair” travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting parts of the Philippines — particularly Mindanao — due to security risks including terrorism and kidnapping.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, vice chair of the House committee on inter-parliamentary relations and diplomacy, emphasized that US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson should clarify the rationale behind the 8 May advisory, which he said casts the Philippines “in a bad light before the international community.”

Rodriguez also called on Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez and the Department of Tourism to account for what steps they’ve taken to respond to the advisory since its issuance.

“This is an unfair, shotgun warning. There are certainly many places in our country that are safe [for] tourists. The United States should review this advisory. We do not deserve this unfair treatment from our No. 1 ally,” he said.

Rodriguez warned the advisory could hurt the country’s still-recovering tourism sector and delay economic recovery, noting the influence of US advisories on other foreign travelers.

The DAILY TRIBUNE reached out to the DFA and Romualdez's office but received no response as of press time.

Meanwhile, US Embassy Spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay defended the advisory, saying it was based on a “careful analysis of local conditions.”

“Our travel advisory for the Philippines has not changed substantially since May 2024,” he added.

According to the US State Department’s latest bulletin, the Philippines remains under a Level 2 advisory — cautioning of “increased risk” in some regions. It also categorizes the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea and Marawi City, under Level 4, the most severe advisory level.

“Do not travel to these areas for any reason. Terrorist and armed groups in the Sulu Archipelago and the Sulu Sea have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom on land and at sea, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, local government entities, and security personnel,” the advisory reads.

The US government has also placed most of Mindanao under Level 3, advising travelers to “reconsider travel” except to Davao City, Davao del Norte, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands.

The advisory further restricts US government employees from traveling to these areas without special authorization and urges American citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate emergency tracking.

It also advises Americans to review local security protocols, monitor the news, avoid demonstrations, and consider securing travel insurance due to elevated risks.