As far as the Philippine National Police is concerned, there is nothing wrong if the United States or any other country would issue a travel advisory against the Philippines following reports that the country was included in the list of nations with high kidnapping risks.
PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde said the assessment is true that there were indeed kidnapping incidents especially in Mindanao, mostly perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group and its affiliate local syndicates.
Albayalde said that it is the obligation of any State to warn its citizens of all the kinds of dangers in any part of the world, especially if the security assessment is valid.
“We cannot blame them. They are just doing their job of protecting their citizens. We will certainly do the same thing,” said Albayalde.
The United States had earlier issued a travel advisory for its citizens in the Philippines, citing threats not only of kidnapping but also of terror attacks, measles outbreaks, and civil unrest.
Albayalde clarified that there are only certain portions of Mindanao which have security problems and these are parts of central and western Mindanao.
PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said that the United States and other countries should not be alarmed since the government is in full control of the security situation in the Philippines.
“The peace and order in the country is under our control because of the intensified security measures we are implementing,” said Banac. (Aaron Recuenco)