- Authorities reassure public amid US travel advisory on Mindanao
AUTHORITIES reassured the public that Davao Region remains safe for travel amid the recent advisory issued by the United States government warning its citizens against visiting certain areas in Mindanao.
Earlier, the US government updated its travel advisory for the Philippines, cautioning American citizens about potential “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.” It further noted that “violent crimes are also common in the Philippines.”
The advisory highlighted specific “Do Not Travel” areas, including the Sulu Archipelago (and southern Sulu Sea) and Marawi City in Mindanao, due to high risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
Other areas of Mindanao were placed under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory, though notably, Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands were specifically excepted from this “Reconsider Travel” warning.
During the Davao Peace and Security press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, May 28, Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista, spokesperson for Eastern Mindanao Command, said they have not seen any cause for concern for any traveler to the region.
“We are not on red alert. But despite that, we continuously strengthen our safety measures,” Evangelista stated. “We inform everyone that yes, our region is very safe. We can travel 24 hours.”
“We have this mobility, so we won’t be hampered because of our unity. We need to keep not only Region XI but also other areas of Eastern Mindanao peaceful, so our people can freely travel 24 hours without hampering businesses or even our travelers from enjoying whatever places they visit,” she added.
Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson for PRO XI, echoed this sentiment for Southern Mindanao.
“In the Davao Region, our crime prevention activities continue, and in our tourist spots, we have deployed tourist police to ensure that not only local but also national tourists can enjoy what our tourism in the whole Davao Region has to offer.”
“They will report that the Davao Region is safe and secure for their travels,” Dela Rey assured.
For her part, DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Caballero, said, “We continuously monitor the security of Davao City, and so far, the security of Davao City remains without threat, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies in Davao.”
Captain Caballero also highlighted the efforts of the DCPO’s tourist unit.
“Our Davao City Police Office tourist unit always responds and is sometimes present in malls to ensure that our visitors or tourists here in Davao City are always safe and secure,” she said.
“We are proud of Davao City because we are a safe city. That is what we need to maintain, and we always repeat the story that our culture of security has a great impact on our peace and order,” she added.
