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Canadian government warns against travel in southern Philippines

3K views 21 replies 10 participants last post by  Manitoba 
#1 ·
The Canadian Government has urged against travel to parts of the southern Philippines due to a serious threat of terrorism and kidnapping.

Canadians have been urged to avoid all travel to Western and Central Mindanao and the southern Sulu Sea, including the waters south of Palawan.
Be careful out there!!


The advice, issued today (Wednesday, May 8), says this is “due to the serious threat of terrorist attacks, kidnapping, high levels of criminality, and violent clashes between the military/police and terrorist or rebel groups”.

It also highlights the risk of piracy in the waters south of Palawan island.

The Canadian government issues “avoid all travel” advisories only when it determines that there is an, “extreme risk to your personal safety and security”. As a result, it says: “You should not travel to this country, territory or region. If you are already in the country, territory or region, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.”

The “avoid all travel” advisory covers the following provinces:

Basilan
Cotabato
Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Sur
Maguindanao
Misamis Occidental
North Cotabato
Sarangani
South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat
Sulu
Tawi-Tawi
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga Sibugay

Furthermore, the government is advising that Canadians should avoid all “non-essential travel” to Eastern Mindanao, for the same reasons given above.

However, the advisory does note that conditions in Eastern Mindanao are more stable than in Western Mindanao. “Non essential travel” means that there, “are specific safety and security concerns that could put you at risk”. As a result, tourists should determine whether they need to be in the country. If not, they should consider leaving while it is still safe to do so.

The “avoid non-essential travel” advisory covers the following provinces:

Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Bukidnon
Camiguin
Compostela Valley
Davao del Norte
Davao del Sur
Davao Occidental
Davao Oriental
Dinagat Islands
Misamis Oriental
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur

https://philippineslifestyle.com/canadian-gernment-mindanao-travel/
 
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#6 ·
hey Tim L

it depends on where in Zamboanga Del Norte you are at. Dipolog is the capital of Zamboanga. That area is not bad. the main thing is be far away from Marawi city as possible in Del Norte. Just don't flash wealth, don't go out at night, stay with groups of people in day time and etc. Just like my other post. Use common sense.

Also the government is going to issue warnings for the whole region for their liability stand point.

art
 
#15 ·
Hey guys. Lets look at the law of averages on kidnappings on Mindanao Island. Do you realize how many expats live there? Now put this in perspective to how many kidnappings that take place there. Not very often do you hear of a kidnapping of foreign expats. You would really have to flash around a lot of wealth for that to happen most of the time. I wouldn't move right into a battlefield like Marawi city. Use a little common sense. Mindanao Island is getting a bad rap. Most of the Island is safe. Just stay away from the southern most tip. Like I said don't move into the 'middle of the battlefield.

art
 
#16 ·
Most governments have similar advisories, Pay attention to them but also take them with a grain of salt as the CYA tendency is strong in the consular service.

Pay attention to local conditions, talk to locals about the real dangers and just use some common sense about personal safety and you will do OK.

That said, since i have no particular need to go to Mindanao, I will pass on going there. If I had a reason to go then I would consider it and take appropriate precautions.
 
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