Phl safe for travel, business – DTI chief
It’s still safe to travel – and to invest – in the Philippines, economic managers stressed yesterday even after foreign governments issued travel warnings on the country because of possible terrorist attacks.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said President Duterte has ordered security forces to use all available assets to crush terrorist groups in Mindanao.
“In the last ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit, security cooperation was discussed precisely
to address the realities of terrorism. But in our country, as you know, that’s being contained very well,” Lopez said in a press conference in Hong Kong.
“The President talked about his approach and he has been using all resources of government – military, police – to really run after the terrorist groups (and to) address the security problem, most especially in the Mindanao area,” he added.
Lopez said development cannot be achieved if the country does not resolve its peace and order issues.
The US and the United Kingdom recently issued travel warnings about plans by terrorists to stage attacks and to kidnap foreign nationals in Palawan.
The UK has added Cebu and other parts of Mindanao as areas to be avoided by its citizens.
The UK government, through its Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), advised against all travel to western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, citing terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.
The FCO also warned against traveling to Mindanao and towns in southern Cebu province, citing the threat of terrorism.
It cited “unsubstantiated but credible information” received by Philippine authorities that terrorist group Abu Sayyaf may be about to conduct kidnappings in the waters between Sulu and Sabah, Malaysia.
The advisories came after the US, UK and several other foreign governments alerted their citizens about a kidnapping threat in Bohol, a province attacked by bandit group Abu Sayyaf last month.
President Duterte has ordered the military to conduct air raids to contain the spread of the terrorists, whom he said are being funded by the illegal drug trade.
In the same press briefing, officials assured investors efforts are underway to fast track the implementation of key infrastructure projects.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade also said Duterte has been very particular in addressing safety issues and curbing corruption.