Canada’s travel advisory vs Mindanao excludes Davao City

CANADA’S Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday advised its citizens not to travel to some parts of due to serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.

The advisory, which excluded Davao City, follows the travel warning issued by United Kingdom and the United States to their citizens against travel areas in Mindanao that are considered to pose threats to foreign travelers.

“Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao [Armm],” the ministry said in a travel advisory.

Armm covers Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sharif Kabunsuan provinces.

The travel advisory also advised Canadians against traveling to Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Sarangani, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Sur (except urban areas of Davao City), North and South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Although there is “no nationwide advisory in effect for the Philippines,” Canada said its nationals should exercise a “high degree of caution” when traveling to aforementioned areas because of the “threat to Westerners and Western interests.”

The United States and Australia have also updated their travel advisories to warn their nationals against the threats of kidnapping in Mindanao, where decadesold disputes over territories caused thousands of lives from the military, civilians, members of the secessionist group and even foreigners. (CVB/Sunnex)