Philippine Congressman Angry About Travel Advisory While Ignoring Crime Concerns

The Untied States has issued another travel warning for the Philippines which has raised the ire of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. He says the warning is unfair. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2063491/rufus-rodriguez-riled-by-us-travel-advisory

A Mindanao lawmaker on Sunday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon the United States envoy to Manila to explain a travel advisory that warned Americans visiting the Philippines of supposedly increased risk to their safety.

Reelected Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez also urged President Marcos to ask the DFA, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, and the Department of Tourism what they have done since the US State Department issued the travel advisory on May 8.

According to Rodriguez: “This is an unfair, shotgun warning. There are certainly many places in our country that are safe to tourists. The United States should review this advisory. We do not deserve this unfair treatment from our No. 1 ally.”

The senior lawmaker asserted that the warning places the country in a bad light before the international community, saying, “it discourages not only Americans but other foreign tourists as well from visiting the Philippines. It will surely hurt our tourism sector.”

“It is likewise particularly biased against our beloved island, Mindanao,” he stressed.

The May 8 US State Department travel advisory places the Philippines under “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” and advises, “exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”

It states: “Do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.”

The advisory further said, “reconsider travel to other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.”

While the entire Philippines was categorized under Level 2, Mindanao (except Davao City, Davao del Norte, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Islands) was placed under Level 3, which meant “Reconsider Travel.”

Marawi City and Sulu, including the Sulu Sea, were under Level 4 or “Do Not Travel” as Americans were warned: “The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in these areas.”

The May 8 issuance also advised US government employees working in the Philippines to “obtain special authorization to travel to certain areas of the country” in Mindanao, particularly in the Sulu archipelago and the Sulu sea, as well as in Marawi City, due to the risks.

It said, “Terrorist and armed groups in the Sulu archipelago and the Sulu Sea have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom on land and at sea, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including US citizens, local government entities, and security personnel.”

For Marawi City, the US State Department issued a statement: “Civilians face the risk of death or injury from ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces.”

It's interesting that he says, "There are certainly many places in our country that are safe to tourists." That is to miss the point entirely which is to warn about areas with increased risks of danger.. Let's take a look at the warning. 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/philippines-travel-advisory.html

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. 

Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel to:

• The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
• Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Reconsider Travel to:

• Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

Country Summary: Terrorists and armed groups have carried out kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting public areas like tourist sites, markets, and local government facilities in the Philippines.  Violent crimes are also common in the Philippines such as robbery, kidnappings, and physical assaults.  Protests happen in the Philippines and could turn violent and/or result in traffic jams and road closures with limited capacity of the local government to respond. 

Note that this warning was reissued after a review with only minor edits. That means this is the same travel advisory that has been issued for years. This warning does not imply the entire nation is unsafe and many such warnings are issued for other countries to which Americans regularly travel. The focus is, as ever, on Mindanao which is certainly a hot bed of violence even for locals. Last year American Elliot Eastman was kidnapped and murdered in Zamboanga del Norte. His body has still not been found. 

It is not only the USA which has issued travel advisories for their citizens. South Korea has raised security concerns about the Philippines. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/23/south-korean-embassy-raises-security-concerns-for-citizens-in-ph-1902

Crimes against Korean nationals are a cause of concern for the Korean Embassy, which has cautioned its nationals in the Philippines to limit outdoor activities.   

Top officials of Philippine National Police, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and Department of Tourism met with embassy officials at Camp Crame on Thursday to address security concerns.

According to embassy data, there have been more 200 criminal incidents involving Korean nationals this year—these include two homicide cases, three kidnappings for ransom, and eleven armed robberies.

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said security concerns have already led to a “huge decrease" — around 18 percent — in tourists from South Korea.

"Ang concern po nila ay nagiging biktima sila ng snatching, nagiging biktima sila ng robbery hold-up, at nagiging biktima ng scam. Kaya ang gusto nila ay agad na aksyon mula sa pulis," he said.

(Their concern is that their nationals are victims of snatching, robberies, and scams. So they want quick action by the police)

Taguig police have already increased security and added more checkpoints in the BGC commercial district after two Korean nationals were robbed on May 17.  

Suspects have also been identified and charged, police said.

The PNP committed to strengthening protective measures for Korean nationals and other foreigners.

These include expanding tourist police services and training officers in foreign languages to better assist non-Filipino complainants.

Crime, including homicide, against foreigners is most certainly a problem which needs to be dealt with and not swept under the rug with objections of outrage by offended officials. 

Despite the crime and violence wrecking havoc in Mindanao daily, the Department of Tourism has come to Mindanao's defense. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1250922

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday defended Mindanao as a safe destination.

The statement comes after reelected Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez called out a United States advisory on the country, criticizing it as “particularly biased” against Mindanao.

The State Department, in its May 8 travel advisory, places the entire Philippines under level 2 where Americans are advised to “exercise increased caution” due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

The same advisory placed Mindanao (except Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands) under level 3 where Americans are urged to reconsider travel.

The DOT said Rodriguez’s stance, particularly on highlighting safety in Mindanao, “echoes the sentiment of countless tourism stakeholders and advocates.”

“The DOT stands united with Congressman Rodriguez and all those who advocate for the dignity and reputation of our country,” it said.

“His support strengthens our resolve to promote a more balanced and truthful narrative of the Philippines -- one rooted in warmth, resilience and the unmatched hospitality of the Filipino people.”

The DOT said it continues to ensure that travel for foreigners is “secure and seamless” through its Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program, and support for the establishment of tourist courts.

The TOPCOP helps enhance police visibility in key tourism areas while the tourist courts provide expedited legal support and protection for visitors encountering challenges during their stay.

The DOT said it sustains the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), which is meant to highlight the cultural richness and hospitality of Philippine regions through curated heritage, culinary and community-based tourism experiences.

“The program has been launched with the active participation of the members of the diplomatic corps in the Philippines, not only to showcase the diversity of our tourism offerings but also to underscore the peace and security that prevail across many parts of the country,” it said.

What exactly is the "more balanced and truthful narrative of the Philippines?" That Filipinos are hospitable, resident, and warm? The hospitality and warmth of Filipinos did not protect Elliot Eastman. He was warned by locals to leave. In fact, when that story broke many Filipinos said that area of Mindanao was a no-go zone even for them.  

Filipinos are friendly but some are also unfriendly. The high levels of crime in this nation attest to that fact. Indignation will not keep people safe. There have been 200 criminal incidents involving South Koreans this year. Combatting crime and warning others to stay away from high crime areas while always staying alert will increase safety. 

More Low-Key Blatant Corruption in the Philippines

The bulk of the attention given to the 2024 budget hearings have been on the Office of the Vice President. Representative Sandro Marcos moved to end the hearing and deliberations which set off a firestorm of protest. It was seen as an outrageous move to protect Sara Duterte from having to explain her use of Confidential funds. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/30/2292535/ovp-budget-escapes-scrutiny-after-house-panel-swiftly-ends-deliberations

However there is even more egregious instances of protection going on in the House budget hearings. 

Deputy Speaker Frasco has asked his colleagues to go easy during the Department of Tourism budget hearings because the DOT secretary is his wife!

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/how-much-do-you-love-your-wife-deputy-speaker-frasco-asks-house-colleagues-to-go-easy-on-dot-1

"Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, distinguished sponsor, yung ating deputy speaker po ay kanina pang lumalapit dito sa amin. Bilang pagmamahal daw niya sa secretary ng DOT, kung pwedeng igsian namin ang aming tanong at wag pahirapan ang Department of Tourism," Hataman said. 

(Our deputy speaker have been approaching us. As a sign of his love for the secretary of DOT, he's asking if we could shorten our questions and not give the Department of Tourism a hard time.) 

Hataman was referring to Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, whose lovely wife is none other than the DOT chief.

"Nag-agree po ang minorya na pagbibigyan ang ating deputy speaker (The minority agreed to grant the deputy speaker's request)," the Mindanao lawmaker said. 

That is outrageous. With such a conflict of interest he should have recused himself from the deliberations but instead he sought to influence them. Even more outrageous is this bold faced interference was not condemned by his colleagues!

But oh well that's how it is in the Philippines. There is corruption everywhere. 

Senate Investigating Airport Glitch as a National Security Issue?

2023 began with a bang in the Philippines as all airspace over Manila was closed due to a glitch that shut down everything. It was a total fiasco leaving thousands of passengers stranded. This blackout also laid bare the shoddiness of NAIA which is routinely ranked as one the of the worst airports in the world. Just last month in December, 2022 NAIA was ranked the third most stressful airport in Asia. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1707816/naia-third-most-stressful-airport-in-asia-study

For the longest time, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), considered as the main gateway to the Philippines, has been named one of the worst airports in the world and has received numerous complaints from passengers across the globe.

Ahead of the holiday season and the expected holiday rush, a new report released by the travel website hawaiianislands.com has once again ranked NAIA as among the worst airports in Asia and the world.

Last month, the travel website released its report titled “The Most Stressful Airports in America and the World,” which was done through analysis of over 1,500 Google reviews for over 500 airports across the world.

“We analyzed the sentiment of Google reviews and ranked airports around the world and within the United States based on the percentage of reviews that indicate stress,” hawaiianislands.com explained.

Delays, long queues, and crying babies—according to the report—are just among the many reasons that air travel can be stressful for passengers, adding issues such as turbulence, baggage claim, and costly beverage on the flight.

Yes, NAIA sucks but that is not what I want to discuss.  It is the Senate's reaction that I want to analyze.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1711938/senators-think-air-traffic-hitch-not-ordinary-may-have-huge-natl-security-implications

The disruption at the country’s main airport due to a hitch in the air traffic control system may not be an “ordinary glitch” and “has possibly huge national security implications,” according to two senators on Tuesday.

Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Risa Hontiveros issued separate statements following a power outage at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center on New Year’s Day, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights that affected at least 56,000 domestic and international travelers.

“As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense, I believe that this incident has possibly huge national security implications,” Go said. “It appears that all it takes to paralyze the entire Philippine airspace is just one technical glitch.”

The senator added that it is unacceptable to see passengers stranded in airports and forced to spend money for new tickets. He also noted that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now worried about their job status for not returning on time due to flight delays and cancellations.

For Hontiveros, the snag may not just be an “ordinary glitch.” She thought there could be “more unseen problems down the line.”

“This may not be just an ordinary ‘glitch’, as the early diagnosis said. Dismissing it as a simple ‘bug’ ignores the systemic problems at our airports. Let us not take the easy way out and blame the equipment outright. The fact that the back up also failed could mean there are more unseen problems down the line,” she said.

“Before we get the much-talked about ‘upgrade’, let’s see if the problem was compounded by human error or negligence in maintaining the equipment,” she continued.

Vulnerability to cyber attacks using the current system, said Hontiveros, must also be assessed.

The concerns of Senators Bong Go and Grace Poe are well placed. The whole of Manila airspace being taken out as the result of a glitch is a national security issue. If it is this easy to take out NAIA and ground air travel to a halt then it ought not to be dismissed as just a glitch. An investigation is required into the entire matter.  That is exactly what some Senators are demanding. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1712172/senators-seek-thorough-probe-of-naia-fiasco

Senators on Tuesday urged transportation officials to dig deeper into the alleged technical glitch and power outage that crippled the country’s air traffic navigation system on Jan. 1, with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada saying the government should not set aside the possibility that it could be a cyberattack.

“We have to look at all angles possible. We cannot discount that this could be a cyberattack,” Estrada said in an online press briefing. “We do not know if terrorists [were behind it]. Let’s not be too complacent about it.”

When pressed, he clarified that he had no information showing it was a cyberattack.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) should not conveniently blame “outdated” equipment for the incident.

“Before we get the much-talked about ‘upgrade,’ let’s see if the problem was compounded by human error or negligence in maintaining the equipment,” she said in a statement.

Estrada, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. separately filed resolutions seeking a Senate inquiry into the incident, which the former referred to as “air traffic management fiasco.”

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, earlier announced that she would open an investigation of the matter.

Sen. Nancy Binay, meanwhile, rejected suggestions to hand over the country’s air traffic management to private companies to prevent a repeat of the incident in the future.

It's great that the Senate seems to be concerned with national security issues now. But I don't buy it. I don't buy their sudden concern about national security. I say this because it has been almost six years since the Marawi siege and the Senate has yet to make a peep about it.

Let me give a quick rundown on the Marawi siege. The details can be found in my articles Intelligence Failures and Prior Knowledge of the Marawi Siege and Book Review: "The Battle of Marawi" Reveals the AFP is an Inept and Ill-prepared Military Force.

In 2017 the Maute group, an affiliate of ISIS, planned to lay siege to the city of the Marawi in a bid to build a caliphate in the Philippines. The AFP and PNP knew of these plans at least a month before they happened but did nothing to attempt to prevent the siege and ignored and downplayed the fact that ISIS was in the Philippines. According to then DND Secretary Lorenzana prior to the siege the AFP had ceased urban combat training which is why the siege lasted for 5 months. At the end of the siege the AFP executed several men who surrendered while television reporters looked on. This event was covered up by the AFP and the reporters who witnessed the event. 

At no time since has anyone in the media or any politician asked the hard questions about exactly how the siege happened, why it happened, and how it can be prevented from happening again. Without a doubt the Marawi siege was the single most devastating blow to national security since World War 2 and the entire nation does not care to learn more about it or how to prevent it from ever happening again. 

So, please excuse me if I don't buy the Senate's sudden concern about national security because of a glitch at NAIA.

Kyle Jennermann aka Becoming Filipino Is Now A Tourism Ambassador

As you may know Kyle Jennermann of Becoming Filipino fame was recently selected by the Department of Tourism to be a Tourism Ambassador. With his many documented adventures across the nation on Youtube and his thousands of followers on social media and his unbounded love for the country one wonders why the DOT took so long to choose him. From his Facebook page we read the following.

https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino/posts/2360572780874580

What you are looking at in the photos below is me at the Tourism Promotions Board main office in Manila. If you didn’t know, this is the implementing agency for the marketing and promotions of the Department of Tourism here in the Philippines. I am in the office of TPB COO Ms. Venus Tan with DCOO Arnold Gonzales. We just finalized... 

AN AMAZING PARTNERSHIP!! 

Why do I say amazing? Because not only is #BecomingFilipino linking up to help promote national tourism advocacies here in the Philippines... I AM BEING GIVEN BIG PLATFORMS TO SHARE! 

Ms. Venus Tan wants me to give talks at national and regional tourism conferences in the Philippines. For example, I am being given a slot to do a public talk at the Philippines Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center in Pasay this August 31st! 

The Tourism Promotions Board believes that my experiences are important to share... DO YOU KNOW HOW INSPIRING THAT IS! 🙂 

And it gets even better... 

Both Kumar and myself aren't just being asked to help promote tourism advocacies... we are being asked to help ASSESS! This year, besides doing as we usually do with #BecomingFilipino (spontaneously adventure, learn, and share positive education), we will be visiting local communities around the Philippines. But, we will be with a national tourism team, who will help assess sustainable community-based tourism practices. The TPB would like our insights, feedback, and ideas! I am deputized as a national tourism assessor here in the Philippines!  

OH, AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY OVERWHELMS ME? I realized that YOU, yes YOU reading this... you can be a part of this! I told the TPB I would like to openly share everything here online, ask for ideas, help, and education from YOU.  

I always say it... WE CAN ALL BE TOURISM AMBASSADORS! And now I truly feel like we, as a online community have all become one! 

I have so much to share, but I'd like to finish this announcement off by sharing something Ms. Venus Tan said to me: 

"Kulas. We just want you to... be you. I don't want you to post about me or my office. I don't want you to have to say specific things, or do specific things. I just want you to continue doing exactly what you are doing." 

Do you know how refreshing it is to hear that? From someone who is a tourism head in the country!  

After five and a half years... #BecomingFilipino is partnering with the Tourism Promotions Board! Oh, and sorry Venus, but I am so inspired and proud to post you on my Facebook Page! You just uplifted this community so much! Thank You for believing in me! 

POWER ON!

If anyone can promote the Philippines to foreigners surely it must be a foreigner who has lived in the country for 5 years. And mind you he has been living in Mindanao, the most dangerous province, in Cagayan de Oro for most of that time. His sense of adventure and exploration and enthusiasm for the Philippines is infectious. Take this article about his recent motorcycle trip around the Cordilleras.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/25/kulas-conquers-the-cordilleras-on-a-scooter/

KYLE “Kulas” Jennermann has been traveling around the Philippines for quite some time already. 

Currently based in Cagayan de Oro City, the Canadian has a firm, genuine belief that he could introduce the country to the rest of the world in a positive light. 

As a resident for five-and-a-half years, immersed well into the “Pinoy” way of life and already fluent speaking in Filipino, Jennermann now considers himself a local.  

Everywhere I went, there were these incredible mountain roads, gardens of valleys and amazing sunrises. Environmentally, you could never be bored, as you can simply stare at the scenery as you drive. 

I found out that several people in the mountains would actually open up to me about their feeling of discrimination by people in the lowlands. They felt that people there thought they were uncivilized. But actually, the locals were undoubtedly so friendly. It was interesting listening to them. Thus, it came as a shock that so many Filipinos would just say they felt discriminated. 

The experience was also inspiring. The residents spoke about how they should not be discriminated against. They are a bit saddened of the view that mountain people are not friendly, yet they continued to open up their homes, while they continued to offer me coffee. 

I was very impressed, especially when I visited Apayao. I went to the capital where they have these two incredible underground rivers with massive caves, remarkably clean water, and some incredible rock formations just within the same municipality.  

The locals cooked trout in bamboo with no seasoning, but it tasted like some master chef prepared it. 

At one point, I ended up in a random village in Kalinga, way-off in the mountains. A man invited me into his home with open arms. When I left his home, he sent local kids from the village to follow me everywhere I went, to ensure I would not get lost until I safely returned. 

My message to my fellow voyagers, and even for Filipinos who have yet to explore their country: Always travel with an open mind, and respect the locals. As long as travelers have that mindset, they will have many enlightening experiences—whether as expats or simply as visitors of this country.  

I hope that the posts that I share online would lead to a “transformation of sorts,” not only in the lives of the locals in the uplands, but also to a positive shift on the way the entire world views them.

The man simply oozes positivity. He is the kind of guy you could punch in the face knocking out a tooth and he would thank you for it because that tooth was giving him some pain. Kyle is like a wide-eyed child who has no idea what the real world is like despite living in it. Or rather because he has been living in a bubble.

Kyle is not at all like other ex-pats or tourists. He is not here for a quick holiday in Boracay. He is not here for a quick fling with the whores in Angeles. He is not seeking to establish a business utilising cheap labor. He is not seeking to retire here and live off his pension drinking Red Horse every night and doing nothing all day. He is not here seeking for love. His love is the nation. Kyle has married the Philippines. 

Kyle Jennermann is a flash in the pan, a one of a kind. Who the heck has the time to explore all the backroads areas of this nation on a motorcycle or to immerse themselves in the culture? I dare say many Westerners would be put off by the excessive "friendliness" of the locals.

Often times the friendliness is only a mask hiding deadly motives. Of course not everyone who visits the Philippines ends up murdered. I guess one could and should say your experience in the Philippines will vary based on your personality, expectations, and goals. 

Both Kyle and the DOT have the same goal of presenting the Philippines as a safe place to visit. Even Mindanao. Here is a recent open letter to the Canadian embassy from Kyle.

"If you are already in the country, territory or region, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so." 

- Canadian Travel Advisory For Mindanao 

Yes, when you click the word "Avoid all Travel". That is the direct quote you will see on our governments website in relation to Mindanao. Basically what that tells me is I need to look outside, make sure it is safe, and then pick the right time to evacuate Mindanao and leave.  

I believe that your quote is misrepresenting, and misleading for anyone seeking information in regards to travel and Mindanao.  

Mindanao is home to 6 Regions, 27 Provinces, and 24 million people, that make up the 2nd largest island in the Philippines. Over the past four years of living here, I have found myself extensively traveling through 20 of those Provinces by scooter. Yes, openly on a scooter. And when I say "traveling", I mean fully immersing and interacting locally. When I say "openly", I really mean it... I have been live posting about it all over social media. It has all been documented and can visually be seen in video, picture and writing in various social media channels across the internet. In fact, the past three weeks I just took four foreign national friends of mine on a big road-trip 1800km's all across Northern Mindanao (see photo below). Where we experienced nothing but happiness, beauty, fun, and kind friendly people.  

Now saying all of this, I am not ignorant. There have been some very very negative things that have happened here in Mindanao. Things that I have personally laid witness to, and completely understand are most concerning and disgustingly sad. But those things, they are not wide spread across the entire 97,500 square kilometres of the island of Mindanao. They don't represent the majority of this island and its people. There are many areas of Mindanao that are peaceful, beautiful, and very much capable of traveling and living in. In fact, as I type this, I am in one of those place... My home, Cagayan de Oro.  

To keep this letter short, I think the quote "If you are already in the country, territory or region, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so."

Is inappropriate and misguiding.  

If you know nothing about Mindanao and are looking to research it for travel, that very well could lead people to believe the whole island is at war. Literally, it is telling someone to evacuate "if it is safe to do so." 

I write this in hopes that maybe you would consider removing, or changing that part of your advisory... to something that is more appropriate and educational.

https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino/posts/an-open-letter-to-the-embassy-of-canada-in-the-philippinesto-whom-it-may-concern/2074847816113746/

"I am not ignorant." "There have been some very, very negative things that have happened here in Mindanao." Understatement of the year! This post is from June 26, 2018 so the suicide bombings had not yet happened. But martial law had been in effect for a year and was extended at the end of 2018 because the exact opposite of what Kyle writes is true. At least the AFP, PNP, and Duterte think so. The DOT is doing this exact same thing, trying to paint Mindanao as safe. One DOT representative even advised tourists to go to Zamboanga for bird watching despite that being a place where Abu Sayyaf has kidnapped foreigners before. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1140038/dot-says-mindanao-still-safe-tourist-destination

“If you go to Zamboanga, I don’t think that it’s a troubled area. I go there for bird watching. If we have the Intramuros here, you should see the old forts that they have in Zamboanga. It’s a city where you would see the interplay of Muslim culture, the American heritage (and) the Spanish heritage,” Alabado told reporters 

“I would encourage our Filipino tourists to visit Zamboanga and you would be pleasantly surprised at how nice the pink beaches of Santa Cruz Island,” he added. 

Late last month, Duterte admitted that Mindanao remains “a dangerous place” to go around as he acknowledged that there was still “lawless violence” in the region, which has been placed under martial law since the deadly terror siege in Marawi City in 2017.

“Mindanao really seems to be a dangerous place still to go around. That is why it could not be…in terms of truth to say that everything is all right there and you can go around and will not be waylaid along the way. Delikado ang Mindanao,” Duterte said.

It is totally mind blowing that Kyle and the DOT would encourage people to visit the most dangerous province in the Philippines yet the DOT has actually issued a warning to tourists about avoiding dengue hot spots.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1153522/avoid-dengue-hot-spots-in-bicol-tourists-warned

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Bicol has issued a travel advisory for local and foreign tourists to temporarily avoid areas in the region identified as dengue hot spots by health authorities. 

Benjamin Santiago, DOT director in Bicol, said the advisory was issued after the Department of Health (DOH) declared a national dengue epidemic because of the rising cases of the mosquito-borne disease. 

“We strongly enjoin tourists to temporarily avoid visiting areas identified by DOH as hot spots as a health preventive measure,” he said. 

In Camarines Sur, 45 villages were listed as dengue hot spots, followed by Albay with 22; Sorsogon, 17; Catanduanes, 15; and Masbate, five. 

Santiago, however, declined to name the tourist attractions in villages considered as hot spots but asked visitors to protect themselves and avoid areas where disease-carrying mosquitoes breed. Among the popular sites in the region are beach resorts and lakes.

Incredible! How are tourists supposed to avoid those hot spots if the DOT will not name them? It's just so half-assed what is the point?

I wrote above that Kyle has been living in a bubble. Let me explain what I mean. Kyle is not a Filipino. He is a white man, a Canadian specifically. He has money and time to travel all around the country doing things most Filipinos have not even done nor could they afford if they wished to do them. He is surrounded by or surrounded himself with many people who are friendly to him, are interested in his adventures, and love that he loves them. He is only able to do so much because he has lots of money. You can't do what he does and be poor. That is just a fact. He is living a travel lifestyle that is not conventional by any means unless he is being funded.

Does he think he is the first foreigner to visit Mindanao? He is not. There are foreigners living there now. Do you think those people are writing open letters to their embassies asking them to amend their travel warnings? Doubtful! Foreigners have also been kidnapped in Mindanao. They were having the time of their life until Abu Sayyaf showed up. 

What is going to happen to Kyle? I don't know but he is not the only person in the world doing this ridiculous stunt of attempting to portray a dangerous country as totally awesome. Meet Hodan Nalayeh.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48975875

While most coverage of Somalia focused on civil war, militancy and famine, Hodan Nalayeh made it her mission to show another side to the country - its beauty and that of its people. 

Her desire to focus on the positive and ultimately inspire young Somalis around the world to help rebuild the country made her famous - and her death in Friday's attack on a hotel in the southern city of Kismayo has prompted an outpouring of grief. 

She and her husband Farid Juma Suleiman were among the 26 people killed as gunmen stormed the Asasey Hotel, where regional politicians and clan elders were discussing a forthcoming regional election. 

"If we don't become the creators of our own content, we are going to be at the mercy of other people telling the stories of Africa," she said, according to CBC. 

In 2018 Nalayeh moved to Somalia where she continued her reporting. Recent episodes had focused on Somalia's female entrepreneurs and things to do in the city of Las Anod and she also used her social media accounts to highlight local life and culture. 

BBC Somali's Farhan Jimale, a friend of Nalayeh's, described her as a "bright star and a beautiful soul who represented the best of her people and homeland". 

"She always looked for the beauty in things, whether the people or the landscape, and wanted to tell a different Somalia, not the one we see on the media," he said.

This lady was doing the same thing Kyle has been doing for the past five years and now she is dead. The only difference is that she was actually a Somalian while "Kuya" will never be a Filipino. Will Kyle share her fate? Possibly. It would not be unexpected if he did. 

It's a fitting partnership between the clueless DOT and the equally clueless Kyle Jennermann. Much like Bato being a Senator I can't wait to see what folly lies ahead.

Malling is More Fun in the Philippines

So this is what it has come down to. This is the level to which the Department of Tourism has sunk to promote the country to foreign tourists and which the taxpayer is paying for.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/19/1919055/malling-more-fun-philippines

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is positioning the country as a shopping destination as it partners with SM Supermalls to launch the “Malling is More Fun in the Philippines” campaign. 

“This nationwide campaign invites locals and tourists to experience why shopping, leisure and entertainment in the Philippines is truly more enjoyable,” the DOT said. 

Based on DOT data in 2017, shopping was the number one activity of tourists visiting the country, with 51.60 percent of visitors hitting the stores. 

Shopping is also where tourists spend money, amounting to $20.90 of the 2017 average daily expenditure per capita of $125.65. 

The DOT maintained that building up shopping tourism in the country would also spur economic growth, create millions of jobs, livelihood and enterprises. 

SM Supermalls said it continues to serve as a venue for meaningful family bonding moments where everyone can indulge in extraordinary malling experiences with its 70 malls nationwide. 

“Malls have become the modern day plaza and safe community spaces for families and friends to share moments together through shopping, dining and fun experiences,” SM Supermalls chief operating officer Steven Tan said. 

“SM’s partnership with the (DOT) celebrates the best of the Philippines through a range of fun fairs and fiestas,” Tan added. 

As part of the “Malling is More Fun” campaign, mall goers are invited to participate in special activities in SM Supermalls all over the country. 

These activities include culinary demos, regional food fairs, exclusive dining deals and the SM Supermarket Chefs Showdown.

This is not a joke. It's all very real. The DOT and SM are partnering up to promote the Philippines' most untapped resource of all: the mall. What about Ayala and Robinson? Why are they being left out  of the picture? 

One would think the DOT would focus on promoting the Philippines meaning the land with all its natural beauty and special places to see and experience but alas that is not the case.  

To achieve the projected growth in tourist numbers and expenditures over the next decade. the Central Philippines will have to move to an investment-driven strategy. Outside of Cebu and Boracay, little investment has taken place in recent years in the Super Region’s tourism sector. The result is that the tourism industry is totally reliant on its natural attractions as the motivation for tourists to visit. But the natural attractions, though unique in many ways, are not sufficiently strong in themselves to attract the numbers required to support a significant tourism sector. This is a primary factor driven strategy and characterized by infrastructure inadequacies, limited investment in product, insufficient accommodation, medium to low quality product and inadequate airlift.

http://www.tourism.gov.ph/tourism_policy.aspx

Can you believe it? The DOT on their very own website admits that the natural attractions of the Philippines "are not sufficiently strong" enough to attract visitors! If the problem is lack of infrastructure which limits access then you would think the DOT would lobby for more roads to be constructed. Rather they have accepted defeat and have now turned to promoting the malls of the Philippines as tourist attractions.

If they are going to promote the Philippines' malls to foreigners as tourist attractions then they need to implement a few very important changes at every mall.

1. Toilet paper

The malls need to put toilet paper in every stall.

Imagine being a first time newbie tourist from the West and you are at the mall enjoying fine Filipino food like McDonald's or Seattle's Best and all of a sudden you need to go. Surprise! There is no toilet paper and now you are in a right mess. What a nightmare. Foreigners, especially westerners, are going to expect toilet paper to be in the bathroom stall and it should be there.

Welcome to the Philippines. Be sure to carry a roll of TP at all times. Just in case.

2. Escalator etiquette

Filipinos do not know how to use the escalator and they need drastic education. Signs are not enough. There has to be a whole campaign. Stand on the right, walk on the left. It is annoying as anything to get stuck behind several people leaning on the rails when all you want to do is head on to your destination. Foreigners are not going to expect undisciplined use of the escalator because everywhere else the universal rule of stand on the right and walk on the left is followed.

Totally unacceptable

3. Noise

This is less of a problem but still a problem. Sometimes there will be a sale in the courtyard or centre area of the mall and loud speakers blasting atrocious techno, rap, or rock and pop will be rocking and you cannot even talk to the person you are with.  There is no need for this especially inside. Turn it down. Why can't they have one small speaker that is giving information about the sale rather than blaring loud and pointless music from a huge stack?

Unnecessary!

4. Scammers

I don't know what SM's policy is on kiosks. How do they evaluate sellers who want to rent one for a short time? Some of these people are scammers. I should know I got pulled into one when I was told I would be given a stove for free.  This led to a sit down and conversation and more free stuff being offered and a telephone call and then being told I have to pay P7000, the price of one item, to get all the other junk for free. What a waste of my time. What a waste of anyone's time.


5. Credit Cards

Believe it or not not every store at the mall accepts credit cards! This applies mostly to restaurants and kiosks. Do foreigners carry around a lot of cash? They might. They might not. But foreigners are going to be used to the ease of using a card without having to carry around a lot of bills. It is safer for them too. No one wants to be robbed. The malls should make sure all stores are equipped with credit card machines and those who are not should have signs reading, "Cash Only."


If this new DOT campaign is sustained Bacolod City could get an influx of tourists in the coming years.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/05/25/1920603/megaworld-putting-p12-b-lifestyle-mall-bacolod

The mall will showcase a blend of neo-classical and art deco architecture, reminiscent of New York City’s Upper East Side cityscape. 

“We are curating an architectural masterpiece that depicts the cosmopolitan vibe of our Bacolod township. This is just the first mall that we are building in this township because there is still more room for future expansion,” Tan said. 

Thus, the mall’s design will be highlighted by a 48-meter high iconic clock tower that illuminates even at night, making it a major landmark along the six-lane main avenue of the township that stretches from Lopez Jaena St. to Circumferential Road.

Hopefully this "lifestyle mall" with an iconic clock tower and modelled after NYC's Upper East Side has toilet paper in the stalls! I doubt it. The special twist of the Philippines is that they will build something so modern and expensive but the toilets won't even have the modern luxury of toilet paper!

Shopping can be a fun way to pick up a cool souvenir. I bought a magic carpet at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. There is good food to be had at the night markets in Taipei. I bought my favourite hat at a market in Cusco. However a market is considerably different from the mall. They have a character that is all their own and the products sold are unique and locally made. The mall is corporate conformity offering products foreigners can find back home.

What the DOT is actually doing by promoting malls as tourist destinations is reinforcing a worldwide, homogenous monoculture that has absolutely nothing to do with the Philippines and in fact contributes to the erosion of Filipino culture by assimilating it into the Borg of global consumerism.

It's too bad the DOT is not promoting the markets in the Philippines. Are there any worth promoting to tourists?

No Safe Place Abroad?

Irony alert!  Incoming! The DFA has issued travel tips for Filipinos travelling abroad which state "No place is completely safe from people who try to take advantage of others." 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/170164/dfa-says-no-safe-place-abroad-gives-tips-travelers

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises all Filipinos traveling overseas to exercise caution and vigilance when visiting key tourist destinations. No place is completely safe from people who try to take advantage of others, and tourists have a tendency to lower their guard while sightseeing. Filipino travelers should therefore be aware of petty crime incidents that normally spike during peak tourist seasons. 

To avoid falling victim to thieves, pickpockets, snatchers, scammers, and other petty criminals, as well as being inconvenienced during their travels, Filipinos are reminded of the following: 

• Be mindful of and respect local laws and regulations;

• Always keep alert in crowded areas such as popular tourist spots, airports, bus, train and metro stations, markets and shopping areas, large sports and concert venues, and onboard public transportation, among others, where petty criminals tend to congregate;

• Be wary of con artists who use a variety of tactics to distract tourists while accomplices gain access to one’s personal items;

• Be careful of one’s belongings. Never leave items that may easily be picked up, such as wallets, mobile phones and cameras, unattended. Always keep these close to you, especially in crowded areas;

• As much as possible, distribute your cash, credit cards, important documents and other valuables in separate compartments in your bag; and

• Keep both hard and electronic copies of your passport, IDs, credit cards and important documents handy while on travel.

Filipinos whose passports get lost or stolen should immediately secure a Police Report and contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy or Consulate can help Filipinos who lose their passports by issuing a travel document that will allow travel back to the Philippines. 

Our kababayan should keep in mind that there are more stringent requirements for the replacement of a lost or stolen passport as compared to securing a regular passport, especially while aborad. It therefore pays to take extra precautions while on travel to avoid this inconvenience. END

https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/18042-public-advisory-for-filipinos-traveling-overseas

It's true that no place is free of scam artists and petty thieves who try to take advantage of tourists. One should always be alert when travelling and aware of thieving tactics. Of course scam artists and thieves abound in the Philippines. That is a no brainer. That is why all the houses are behind concrete fences toped with barbed wire and why there is a low degree of trust among people.

What's funny about this list is that it only mentions petty crime and not violent crime. There are plenty of places abroad safe from violent crime. Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, even Europe and the USA, are all virtually safe and you are not like to get murdered, raped, or kidnapped in those places.

The same is not true for the Philippines. Foreigners, both residents and tourists, do end up murdered or kidnapped by terrorists before being horrifically beheaded. That is why there are travel warnings issued for the Philippines from the USA, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Remember the American who was murdered because he would not buy two guys a round of beer? His name is Eric Hendrickson. American businessman Peter La Barbera was also murdered this year. And don't forget about Lonnie Simon Weig who was gunned down while on his morning run. How can anyone forget that in 2016 South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo was kidnapped and murdered by the PNP!

Here is a list of foreigners murdered in 2017:

http://philippineslifestyle.com/foreigners-murdered-philippines-2017/

There are 11 people on that list. Two of them are survivors of a attempted murder. 

Although not a fatality, Scot Tareq Naggar was lucky to survive after being shot in the chest by motorcycle-riding robbers who made off with just 500 pesos. The 44-year-old was due to marry his fiancee later on the same day in July. No arrests have been reported.

Shot in the chest over 500 pesos. And no one in the Philippines gives a damn when a foreigner is murdered. Filipinos aren't marching in the streets like people did in Slovakia after a Filipino was brutally beaten to death in the street.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/06/07/slovaks-mourn-filipino-expat-beaten-to-death-in-street/

Thousands of Slovaks rallied in the capital Bratislava on Friday to pay tribute to a murdered Filipino expat, beaten to death by man believed to be a neo-Nazi. 

The people of Bratislava organized a so-called “Justice for Henry” gathering at SNP square on June 6 to protest Acorda’s death. 

Organizers told the local Dennik N daily that around 3,000 protesters, mostly in their twenties, turned out for the memorial rally that began with a violinist playing a mournful tune. 

Some carried banners reading “Justice for Henry” and “Nazi brain burn in hell.” Others laid flowers and lit candles at an improvised memorial where the attack occurred.

That is life in the violent Philippines. No wonder this country is ranked high on the list of most dangerous countries for tourists.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/06/14/1710160/most-dangerous-countries-tourists-philippines-ranks-11th