The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC is reportedly working to address issues related to the adverse United States government advisory, warning Americans against visiting the Philippines “due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.”
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who strongly protested the advisory last Sunday, said on Wednesday he spoke by phone to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez about it.
“He (Romualdez) assured me that our embassy has communicated our concern to the US State Department about the recent travel advisory to US citizens regarding travel to the Philippines. He advised me to further communicate the same concern to the US embassy in Manila,” Rodriguez said.
“The ambassador was also kind enough to inform me that our embassy is working closely with our law enforcement agencies in providing accurate reports to the US State Department on the ‘real’ situation in the Philippines,” he added.
He said he was happy with the ambassador’s assurance.
On Sunday, the Mindanao lawmaker asked Romualdez and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) what they have done about the travel advisory issued by the State Department last May 8.
He also called on the DFA to summon US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson for an explanation. He will also write Ambassador Carlson to state the basis of the travel advisory.
The travel advisory placed the Philippines under “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution,” citing alleged instances of crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.
It mentioned in particular the Sulu archipelago, Marawi City, and other areas in Mindanao among areas to avoid.
The State Department also advised US government employees working in the Philippines to “obtain special authorization to travel to certain areas of the country.”
US travel advisories range from Level 1 to Level 4.
While the entire Philippines is under Level 2, Mindanao (except Davao City, Davao del Norte, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Islands) is under Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Marawi City and Sulu, including Sulu Sea, are under Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
“The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in these areas.” the State Department warned Americans.
