A Philippine lawmaker on Sunday criticized the U.S. government’s recent travel advisory for the Philippines, deeming the warning to American travelers “unfair” from a key ally.

“This is an unfair, broad-stroke warning,” stated Rufus Rodriguez, a member of the Philippines House of Representatives. He emphasized the safety of numerous locations for tourists, citing Cagayan de Oro City as an example.

“The United States should re-evaluate this advisory. We don’t deserve this treatment from our top ally,” he asserted.

The U.S. State Department issued a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” advisory on May 8.

The advisory stated, “Terrorists and armed groups have perpetrated kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines, targeting public areas such as tourist sites, markets, and local government facilities. Violent crimes, including robbery, kidnappings, and physical assaults, are also prevalent. Protests occur and have the potential to become violent, causing traffic congestion and road closures, with limited local government response capabilities.”

“Due to these risks, U.S. government employees in the Philippines require special authorization to travel to specific regions,” it added.

The advisory strongly discouraged all travel to the Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City, issuing a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning due to the risk of kidnappings and attacks on foreign nationals, including Americans, in the Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea, as well as the danger posed by ongoing clashes between terrorist remnants and Philippine security forces in Marawi.

It noted that the U.S. government’s capacity to provide emergency services to its citizens in these areas is limited.

A “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory was issued for Mindanao island, excluding Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands, citing the presence of terrorist and armed groups with a history of kidnappings for ransom, bombings, and other attacks. The warning highlighted that these incidents often target foreign nationals, including Americans.

Rodriguez, representing the second district of Cagayan de Oro, called on the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson to address the advisory.

He also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to request explanations from the DFA, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, and the Philippine Department of Tourism regarding their actions since the May 8 warning.

Rodriguez contended that the advisory casts a negative light on the Philippines internationally.

“It discourages not only American tourists, but other foreign tourists as well from visiting the Philippines. It will undoubtedly harm our tourism sector,” he stated. “It is also particularly unfair to our beloved island, Mindanao.”

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