‘DRUG WAR NEWS HURTING TOURISM’

Bangkok: The Philippines tourism secretary urged the media on Wednesday to “tone down” coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, complaining that reports on extrajudicial killings were scaring away foreigners. On a trip to Thailand accompanying Mr Duterte, tourism secretary Wanda Teo insisted the Philippines was a safe destination but said journalists were making the country a hard sell because of their focus on the killings. “Help us because you know, it's really difficult for me to sell the Philippines, especially when extrajudicial killings becomes the topic,” Ms Teo told Filipino reporters following the Duterte entourage. Ms Teo said tour operators abroad were “always” asking her about the issue, citing Asia and Europe as regions where people were particularly concerned. “I would always say it’s safe in the Philippines,” Ms Teo added. “To the media, please tone down a little the extrajudicial killing (reports).” —