BUSINESS leaders and public officials across Mindanao are urging the United States government to revisit and revise its recent travel advisory, which warns American citizens to reconsider travel to most parts of the region.
They say the advisory, released by the U.S. State Department on May 8, paints an outdated and unfair picture of the current situation in Mindanao, one that overlooks its significant progress in peace, security, and economic growth.
The advisory places Mindanao (excluding Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands) under Level 3: Reconsider Travel alert, citing risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
It further issues Level 4: Do Not Travel warnings for Marawi City and the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to heightened threats of terrorism, kidnappings, and ongoing armed conflict. According to the advisory, terrorist and armed groups have historically targeted public areas, foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, and local government facilities. Violent crimes, such as robbery and assault, and civil protests with the potential to turn violent are also cited.
However, regional leaders say this sweeping assessment does not match the on-the-ground reality.
Tony Peralta, chairperson of the Southern Mindanao Business Council (SMBC) of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), criticized the advisory as “unjustifiable and unfair.” He argued that many parts of Mindanao are safe and actively attracting investment and tourists.
“The advisory must be based on what’s truly happening. Mindanao is safe, stable, and booming,” Peralta said, calling for a review team to personally assess the situation in the region.
Meanwhile, during a media forum on May 28, City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) officer-in-charge Jennifer Romero remarked that Davao City’s exclusion from the advisory means its tourism sector is largely unaffected.
“Since 90 to 95 percent of our visitors are locals, the travel advisory doesn’t significantly impact us,” she said. However, according to her, it does pose a challenge for the Department of Tourism (DOT), as they continue working to correct global perceptions of Mindanao.
Supporting this view, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) recently released data showing a notable improvement in the region’s safety perception.
Its Mindanao Safety Rating survey for 2024 registered an 89.69 percent, up from the 88 percent in 2023. Conducted quarterly among over 7,200 respondents, including local and foreign travelers, the survey reflects increasing public confidence, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
“When people think of Mindanao, they often imagine conflict,” said Dr. Adrian Tamayo, MinDA’s Policy Formulation Division officer-in-charge, in February in an ambush interview with SunStar Davao during a Business Forum. “But today, communities are secure, businesses are thriving, and residents themselves say they feel safe. This is a product of sustained peace-building and governance reforms.”
DOT has also strongly defended Mindanao, highlighting safety measures in place for travelers. These include the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Topcop), which ensures heightened police visibility in tourism zones, and the establishment of tourist courts for swift legal support.
The DOT's Philippine Experience Program (PEP), designed to promote cultural and community-based tourism, has been well-received by both locals and members of the diplomatic corps.
“The U.S. advisory undermines our efforts and the realities in Mindanao,” the DOT said. “We continue to promote a balanced, truthful image of the Philippines, one rooted in hospitality, resilience, and peace.”
Echoing these sentiments, Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez called the U.S. advisory a "shotgun warning" and “particularly biased” against Mindanao. He urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon the U.S. ambassador to explain the rationale behind the advisory. Rodriguez also asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to request updates from the DFA, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, and the DOT on steps taken in response.
“There are certainly many areas in our country that are safe for tourists,” Rodriguez said. “We do not deserve this unfair treatment from our No. 1 ally.”
While the U.S. advisory acknowledges the relative safety of Davao City, Davao del Norte, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands, Mindanao's advocates stress that many other parts of the region are just as secure, and they want the international community to see that reality.