Canada lowers security risk rating of Siargao Island, Davao City

The Canadian government has lowered the security risk rating of Siargao Island and Davao City in its travel advisory to the Philippines.

In a message to GMA News Online, Canadian Embassy officials said security risk rating of Siargao Island has been lowered from “avoid all travel” to “exercise a high degree of caution” and of Davao City from “avoid all travel” to “exercise a high degree of caution.”

"These changes reflect our appreciation for improved security and safety conditions in both locations. The changes in our travel advisory will help Canadians make informed decisions about travel in the Philippines, strengthen and deepen people-to-people ties, expand commercial cooperation, and create new opportunities for collaboration and exchange," the officials said.

"We are continuing to assess and review travel advisories in other provinces and jurisdictions. This is an ongoing and constant process. We will continue to update our travel advisories as we move through this review process," they added.

Last updated on January 10, the Canadian government's travel advisory to the Philippines says Canadian citizens should “avoid all travel” to the following areas:

• Basilan
• Sulu
• Tawi-Tawi
• Lanao del Sur
• Maguindanao
• Bukidnon
• Camiguin
• Lanao del Norte
• Misamis Occidental
• Misamis Oriental
• Cotabato
• Sarangani
• South Cotabato
• Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Sultan Kudarat

Meanwhile, Canadians are also advised to “avoid non-essential travel” to the following areas:

• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte, excluding Siargao Island
• Surigao del Sur
• Davao de Oro
• Davao del Norte
• Davao del Sur, excluding Davao City
• Davao Occidental
• Davao Oriental

According to the Canadian government, the "Avoid Non-essential Travel" category means Canadians' safety and security could be at risk, and that they should think about their need to travel to these areas based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors.

Año disagrees

In a statement released on Thursday, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año expressed disagreement with the advisory, noting the improved security situation in the country, especially in Mindanao.

"We emphasize that the peace situation in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, has greatly improved as reflected in the improved ranking of the Philippines in the Global Terrorism Index from being part of the top 10 countries affected by terrorism a few years back to rank 18 last year," Año said.

A former military chief of staff, Año said the Philippines has implemented comprehensive measures to enhance peace and security in Mindanao.

"We believe that the Canadian government's advisory does not fully reflect the current situation on the ground," he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News