EDITORIAL - Advisories

Many foreign governments issue travel advisories, informing their citizens about the peace and order situation and potential threats to their safety around the world. The advisories are regularly updated, based on different levels of reliability of the intelligence information gathered. Travelers can ignore warnings of security threats at their own risk.

The US embassy in Manila, in its latest update, warned of a threat by terrorists to kidnap foreigners for ransom in the Zamboanga peninsula. The US warning was followed by similar advisories from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Similar alerts have been issued in recent months, with the threats not materializing. Perhaps the warnings helped, or the intel was unreliable.

The world is a dangerous place; serious security threats exist in every country. The US is the top target of every terrorist, including some homegrown ones. Bombs have been set off in European capitals. And yet these countries continue to be top travel destinations.

What sets off countries is their response to security threats. Some governments respond faster and more efficiently to threats, implementing measures that tend to make visitors feel safe. Security measures are tightened for mass transportation by air, land and sea. Terror plots are foiled and suspects caught, convicted and sent to prison. Conspiracies are broken up and participants apprehended.

The Philippines need not worry about negative travel advisories as long as the country can reassure both Filipinos and foreigners of their safety. This cannot be guaranteed in certain parts of the country where armed conflict and lawlessness reign, and where several foreigners are still held captive by bandits. In such cases, the second option is to speed up the safe release of the captives. The best response to negative travel advisories is to show that all effort is being made to neutralize security threats.