US travel advisory for Philippines slammed

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez yesterday protested the strong advisory issued by the United States cautioning Americans against traveling to the Philippines due to increased risk to their safety.

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

Rodriguez called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson to demand an explanation for the advisory.

He also urged President Marcos to ask the DFA, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez and the Department of Tourism to explain what they have done since the US State Department issued the warning on May 8.

The US State Department travel advisory places the Philippines under “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

It states that tourists should exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk such as the Sulu archipelago and Marawi City.