The Philippine government is now coordinating with the United States (US) to address the western nation's alleged "unfair" travel advisory to the country, a lawmaker said Wednesday, May 28.
Philippine gov't coordinating with US over 'unfair' travel advisory — solon
Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who earlier called out the US government for what he called "an unfair, shotgun warning" to its nationals, said he spoke with Philippine Ambassador to Washingtin Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez on the matter.
Rodriguez said Romualdez assured him that the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC already communicated the concerns about the travel advisory to the US State Department.
"He advised me to further communicate the same concern to the US Embassy in Manila," Rodriguez said.
“The ambassador was also kind enough to inform me that our embassy is working closely with our law enforcement agencies in providing accurate reports to the US State Department on the 'real' situation in the Philippines," he added.
On Sunday, May 25, Rodriguez asked Romualdez and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) what they have done about the travel advisory issued by the State Department last May 8.
His move came as the US placed the Philippines on travel advisory Level 2, wherein it called on American travellers to "exercise increased caution".
Washington also warned its citizens against visiting the Philippines "due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping".
Rodriguez maintained that there were "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," he said.