Philippine lawmaker criticizes US for new travel warning: ‘Unfair treatment from our number 1 ally’

A Philippine lawmaker, Rufus Rodriguez, strongly criticized the U.S. government for its recent travel advisory for the Philippines. He argued that the warning issued to American travelers was unjust, especially coming from their “number one ally.” Rodriguez emphasized that there are many safe places in the country for tourists, such as Cagayan de Oro City, and believed that the advisory was a blanket warning that did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground.

The U.S. State Department issued a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory for the Philippines on May 8. The advisory highlighted the risks of terrorist activities, kidnappings, bombings, and violent crimes targeting public areas and foreign nationals in the country. It also mentioned the limited capacity of local government to respond to such incidents, urging U.S. government employees to obtain special authorization for travel to certain areas.

Specific warnings were issued for the Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City, where a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory was in place due to ongoing clashes between terrorist groups and Philippine security forces. Additionally, a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory was issued for Mindanao island, citing the historical engagement of terrorist and armed groups in kidnappings and attacks targeting foreign nationals.

Rodriguez, who represents Cagayan de Oro, called on the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs to summon the U.S. Ambassador to demand explanations for the advisory. He also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to seek clarification from relevant authorities on the actions taken since the issuance of the warning. Rodriguez expressed concern that the advisory would negatively impact the country’s tourism sector and unfairly stigmatize Mindanao.

Overall, Rodriguez’s strong stance against the U.S. travel advisory underscores the importance of accurate and fair assessments of security risks for travelers. It also highlights the need for open communication between allies to address concerns and ensure the well-being of tourists and residents in the Philippines.