A lawmaker is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon the United States ambassador to explain a US travel advisory warning its citizens against traveling to the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, due to security risks including kidnapping and terrorism.
Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, vice chairman of the House committee on inter-parliamentary relations and diplomacy, stressed Sunday the need for US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson to provide a clear explanation for the advisory, which he said “puts the Philippines in a bad light before the international community.”
Rodriguez also said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez and the Department of Tourism owe an explanation regarding measures taken to address the advisory, which was issued 8 May.
The lawmaker described the advisory from a long-time ally as “totally surprising” and “particularly biased against Mindanao.”
“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 number one ally,” he said.
Rodriguez expressed concern that the warning could harm the Philippines’ tourism sector, which is still recovering from the pandemic. He noted the US’ influence could negatively shape the perception of other foreign nationals.
DAILY TRIBUNE has reached out to the DFA and Romualdez’s office but had not received a response as of yet.
Meanwhile, US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay defended the travel advisory, stating it was based on a thorough assessment.
“Our travel advisories are based on a careful analysis of local conditions. We regularly evaluate our travel advisories to ensure that they provide the most accurate information to American citizen travelers,” Gangopadhyay told DAILY TRIBUNE.