Friday, August 29, 2008 Envoy assures Canadian tourists: Davao is safe By Carlo P. Mallo
DESPITE the advisories issued against travel to Mindanao, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Robert Desjardins was in Davao City Wednesday evening.
"I am very confident of Davao City, very secure," Desjardins said during the opening of the Canadian Food Festival at Marco Polo Hotel.
"Do you see any bodyguards?" the Canadian Ambassador jokingly told Sun.Star Davao.
During the height of the conflict between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels early this month, Canada along with the countries of United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia issued stern travel advisories against travel to Mindanao.
Canada, on the other hand, has exempted Davao City from its travel advisories. "Davao City is relatively safe," Desjardins added.
Desjardins added that the Canadian Food Festival at Cafe Marco of the Marco Polo Hotel Davao was an activity of the Canadian Embassy in order to promote the culture of its country.
The Canadian Food Festival will run for the next four weeks at Cafe Marco. The opening of the Canadian Food Festival was also graced by Davao City Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, and Marco Polo Davao general manager Stanley Lau.
