The travel advisory

The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have alerted its citizens of terror threats in the Philippines particularly in Metro Manila. These countries issued similar advisories to their citizens planning to travel to the Philippines. They warned about the terrorist threat in the Philippines. This travel advisory reflects the continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities in the Philippines.

On October 21, 2010 a bus bombing in Mindanao killed 10 people and an investigation was underway to determine whether this was a terrorist act or a case of plain extortion. On August 23, 2010, a disgruntled police officer seized a bus in Manila and killed 8 Hongkong tourists during a botched attempt to rescue them before he himself was gunned down at the close of an 11 hour standoff covered him by international TV networks.

As a precaution, the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police have been put on heightened alert in Metro Manila. The military had been placed on top-level red alert in Metro Manila which means troops have to remain in their barracks so they are ready to respond quickly to any potential attacks. Bomb squads and K-9 units have also been deployed in airports, seaports and bus terminals.

The big effect of this travel advisory is on the economy. The travel advisory issued by these big countries will cause a big decline in the number of foreign tourists coming to the country. Through it is not a travel ban, the advisory has a psychological effect on the mindset of foreign travelers. It creates fear to go to our country. It also creates a “ripple effect” on other countries to advise their citizens not to come to the Philippines. This travel advisory will result to cancellation of tours. Investors will also be discouraged to invest in the Philippines. We could have earned many sources of income from foreign tourists. The travel fares, hotel accommodations, the sale of native products, income from bars and restaurants, income of tourist guides were all lost because of this travel advisory.

This would not have happened if the hostage taking in Manila that killed eight Hongkong tourists and one disgruntled police officer was solved. This is now the aftermath of that fiasco. The law of cause and effect.

By: Joey E. Clarin

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