MANILA – The U.S. State Department announced the downgrading of travel advisory levels in four areas in Mindanao, including Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island and the Dinagat Islands, which changed from Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) to Level 2 (“Exercise Caution”).
In its updated travel advisory for the Philippines, the U.S. State Department informs its citizens planning to visit Mindanao of the changes in its post, dated May 17, 2024.
This is also after the rescinding of the “State of National Emergency” in Mindanao, after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. lifted Proclamation No. 55 on July 25, 2023 due to the “improving peace and order situation” in the region.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 55 in September 2016, declaring a State of Emergency in Mindanao, following the Roxas Night Market bombing incident in Davao City, leaving several casualties and several people injured.
According to the advisory, the rest of Mindanao is still under Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) and mentions “Terrorist and armed groups in Mindanao have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, as well as civilians, local government entities, and security forces.”
Because of this, the U.S. government said that it “has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in large parts of Mindanao.”
Meanwhile, the same advisory reminds its citizens to “Not Travel” (Level 4) to Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping,” while citizens should reconsider travelling to other areas of Mindanao “due to crime, terrorism and civil unrest.”
Marawi City is also under Level 4 (“Do Not Trave”) as the U.S. State Department stated that “civilians face risk of death or injury from ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces in Marawi.”
The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Marawi City is very limited. U.S. government employees under the U.S. Embassy’s (Chief of Mission) security responsibility are required to obtain special authorization to travel to Marawi City, the advisory added.
Read the full advisory here: https://ph.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-updates-to-travel-advisory-for-the-philippines/
