PH safe, Palace assures tourists
In a statement released by the incoming Presidential Spokesman, Harry Roque, on behalf of Malacañang, they assured that Philippines is a safe place for the tourists despite the travel advisories from two countries, Australia and the United Kingdom, they posted on their respective websites because of possible threats in places that are terrorist-prone and also the poor protective security that Philippines has.
According to Roque, the advisories posted on the respective websites of the two countries are not pertaining to the security threat in the Philippines. Despite of this caution, the Philippine Government assured that law enforcers were on top of the situation.
“We understand the concern of the Australian government cautioning its citizens on the Philippines safety or security risks,” Roque said.
“We verified with Australian officials and that the advisory is not a response to any specific threat. Their general threat assessment has remained the same as it was at the height of the Marawi rebellion, which we all know has already been resolved by our government forces,” he added.
It was also said by Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. that the warning of Australia was only to reiterate the previous travel advisory issued in May. The United Kingdom’s advisory to warn its citizens travelling to Mindanao amid clashes between armed militant groups and state forces.
“It was reissued in a more succinct manner and may have an update next week following the end of combat operations in Marawi,” Padilla said.
The Presidential Spokesman assured that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already coordinated with embassies and found that the travel advisories of the two countries did not affect the tourism in the Philippines.
“The Philippine government has no information about any increased terror threat in the county and we assure our foreign friends that local authorities have been enforcing tight security measures, especially in populated areas, while we urge everyone to continue being aware of one’s surroundings,” Roque said.
“We reiterate that generally it is safe to work, study, do business, and travel in the Philippines,” he added.
In the latest advisory of Australia, there’s a high possibility that Philippines is prone from terrorist attacks including Manila. This came two weeks after the declaration of Marawi’s end of terrorism which was a week before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit to be held in Manila from November 12 to 15.
In its latest advisory, Australia said there was a high threat of a terrorist attack in the Philippines, including Manila, thus the need to exercise heightened caution.
“Be alert to possible threats around locations that have a low level of protective security and places known to be possible terrorist targets. The level of our advice has not changed. Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines overall,” the travel advisory said.
“Higher levels apply in some parts of the country,” it added.
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Source: manilatimes.net
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