1.

Terrorism in the Philippines: Places You Should Avoid

Find out which provinces in the Philippines you should avoid before you book your trip. From military areas
to kidnapping hotspots, here is everything travelers need to know.

While most people you will meet in the Philippines are super friendly and the places are incredibly beautiful,
there are a few areas that are unsafe for travelers. Here's a list of places to avoid, to make your visit to the
Philippines safe.

 Military Areas in the Philippines

 Terrorism Risk in the Philippines

 Will I Get Kidnapped in the Philippines?

 Is the Philippines Dangerous?

Military Areas in the Philippines

The President of the Philippines declared martial law in the south of the country on May 23, 2017, following
an attack on government facilities in the city of Marawi by ISIS insurgents. The military rule, superceding civil
law, will remain in effect for 60 days. Other reports say President Duerte is considering imposing martial law
across all of the Philippines, although at time of writing this had not been confirmed.

The military is an ever-present force in the Philippines, mainly due to the high risk of terrorism. Even when a
ceasefire has been called, violence could flare up without warning. So, regardless of the current state of affairs
during your stay, it‘s best to avoid these areas altogether.

Terrorism Risk in the Philippines

Terrorism is perhaps the biggest threat to tourist safety in the Philippines and continues to be an increasing
and ongoing problem.

The whole of the far south is a no-go zone: the areas of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and the Zamboanga
Peninsula are all considered extremely dangerous and travelers are advised to stay away. The terrorist group
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been blamed for numerous violent incidents, kidnappings, and
frequent clashes with the Filipino security forces.

Spin-off terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jema‘ah Islamiyah, have broken away from
MILF, and are particularly dangerous. They are responsible for bombings which have resulted in property
damage, injury and death. The more rural areas of the country, including the island of Luzon to the north,
should be avoided as it has seen the increased presence of the terrorist organization, The New People‘s Army
(NPA).

Over the past few years, terrorist acts, involving explosive devices in North Cotabato Province, Basilan,
Isabela City, Jolo, Cotabato City, Makati and the Zamboanga airport, have resulted in 41 deaths, and severe
injury to well over 100 more. Most of the bombings took place on public transportation, and in crowded
locations including restaurants and cathedrals.

The unpredictability of terrorist acts makes them much more dangerous, so steer clear of the locations where
they are more likely to occur.
 Will I Get Kidnapped in the Philippines?

The risk of kidnap is especially hazardous for visitors because terror groups target travellers from overseas for
the high profile publicity, and the high ransom they can obtain from relatively wealthy families. Thankfully,
these crimes are not widespread. The following locations carry a higher risk of kidnapping and should be
avoided:

 Sarangani Province

 North Cotabato Province

 South Cotabato Province

 General Santos City

 Sultan Kudarat Province

 Lanao del Sur Province

 Lanao del Norte Province

 Iligan City

 Pangutaran Island

Additionally, several foreigners have been captured in Zamboanga City, Pagadian City, Patikul and Jolo in
recent years.

Is the Philippines Dangerous?

Early in November 2016, the US Government issued a warning to its citizens, and, by implication, any
foreign visitors, traveling to the southern part of Cebu island in The Philippines. The warning says the
notorious kidnap and ransom rebels, Abu Sayaf, intend to target foreigners in holiday destinations, including
the Dalaguete, Santander and Sumilon island resorts.

The US Government advice, repeated by other foreign departments including Australia’s DFAT, is for
travelers to avoid these areas, to review personal security plans, to remain alert to their surroundings, monitor
local news reports for updates and be vigilant.

Kidnappings are difficult to predict and therefore can be challenging to avoid. Travel in groups and stay away
from areas that have seen an increase in recent kidnapping incidents. There are plenty of beautiful locations
throughout the Philippines that are trouble-free.

By Phil Sylvester,

World Nomads Contributor - Wed, 3 Jul 2019

https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/southeast-asia/philippines/areas-to-avoid-in-the-philippines
 2. Peace talks: In or out?
HOTSPOT - Mocha Uson (The Philippine Star) - April 3, 2018 - 12:00am

"I will always do everything to protect the next generation,” - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Providing the youth with a safer future is one of the main priorities of the President, contrary to what his
enemies are trying so hard for us to believe. And if we take a closer look at it, all his actions and projects are
in line with his vision of a better Philippines, such as signing the Free Tuition Law, Build, Build, Build!
Infrastructure projects, and the campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism. Who is to benefit from these
actions? No less than the youth, with whom the future of this nation lie.

Protecting the incoming generation from the influence of illegal drugs is the main reason the current
administration is strongly fighting against syndicates, narco-politicians, and drug pushers and addicts. By
acting against them we save thousands of young Filipinos every day from being used by syndicates in their
operations, or worse, falling victim to addicts themselves.

The same protective stance applies to the youth and terrorist groups. This is the same reason the government
has a hardline opposition to the operations of the New People’s Army (NPA) and other rebel groups. This is
because aside from protecting the people and the youth from their unnecessary, violent attacks, the
government is also preventing young Filipinos from being recruited and transformed into sentinels by the
same groups to fight for their rather twisted and sinister ideals.

To be honest, I once supported the peace talks between the NPA and the government, as I believed it was
the right course of action to achieve peace for our country. However, after several demands and attacks
initiated by the NPA against government troops when supposedly both parties are under a ceasefire, I began
to question if they really wanted peace. If they do, then violent attacks against civilians, the government, and
destroying public property is not the way to show it.

What is more confusing is that while there are ongoing attacks by the NPA, other leftist groups are still
calling for the President to resume the peace talks. But how can we talk peace when someone does not seem
sincere in talking about it?

According to recent reports, the NPA is still very much active in recruiting young Filipinos to become part of
their force. Parents and students have been repeatedly warned in joining off-campus activities being
conducted by student organizations that are handled (directly and indirectly) by the CPP-NPA in order to
garner new members.

For a group that claims to yearn for peace, they should know better than involve the youth in their conflict
with the government. Do not arm young Filipinos and turn them into killers. Do not condition their mind
with lessons that are all about greed and power made worse by hiding under the blanket of socialism and
communism, ideals that, while in direct contrast to democracy, deserve to be respected.

Let this statement of the President serve as a warning, not only to those involved in illegal drugs but also to
insurgent groups, terrorist or otherwise: “Do not put to naught my toil and destroy the young of my country
because I will really kill you.”

This only shows the strong will of President Duterte in protecting young Filipinos. He is not afraid to be put
behind bars, nor die while fighting for them. This is why more Filipinos believe in him, for he is like a father
who would do everything to save his children from harm.
Stop using the youth to fight for your obsolete cause. Do not introduce them to a violent path. Instead, join
the government in giving them a better future. It is only by protecting the youth that our nation will be able
to secure real peace in the future, if not today.

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/04/03/1802188/peace-talks-or-out

3. Strategic advantages of peace in Mindanao

From internal to external defense

First, it will advance the process of redirecting the operational focus of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) from internal to external defense. The AFP will be able to devote greater time, attention and
constitutional duty to being the protector of all Filipinos. It could commit whatever limited resources it has to
the most important goal of securing Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In that eventuality, the AFP will find a more supportive Filipino people. The AFP will have an opportunity to
rebuild or strengthen its relations with the people. Unlike when it is doing its duty of fighting local
revolutionary and secessionist movements, an AFP protecting the whole Filipino nation will not find itself in
any unnecessary and uncomfortable defensive position. We must therefore continue to work and expand the
peace process including with that of the National Democratic Front.

Indeed, instead of fighting each other, we should close ranks to define our common security and not allow
some countries to bully us. We must expose moves aimed at dividing us and distracting our attention from
building a strong, united, and developed nation. Some countries would like us to be unstable for their own
advantage.

Economic and social development

Second, it could significantly promote peace and order situation in Mindanao, which is a fundamental
condition for any economic and social development.

Mindanao accounts for more than one-third of the country’s total land area and one-fourth of the population.
But it only contributes 14 percent of the country’s GDP. Almost 40 percent of Mindanao’s population live
below the poverty line.

Time and time again, it has been proven that the space created by successful peace processes results in
positive gains for concerned countries. This led the United Nations to create the Peacebuilding Commission
precisely to seize opportunities for the international community to help enable post-conflict societies
consolidate gains and prevent recurrence of conflict. According to the UN, nine out of the poorest ten
countries in the world are in conflict situation or have experienced conflict within the past 20 years. There is
definitely a nexus between peace and development.
 The role of private sector is very crucial in the development of Mindanao. The Makati Business Club was
among the first business groups that have already expressed support for the government’s peace agreement
with MILF. Its members know Mindanao’s potential, particularly in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, and
minerals. While it is sizeable by itself, Mindanao possesses even more strategic advantage by being within the
contiguous zone of resource rich Borneo – the largest island in Asia and third in the world.

But as former U.S. General and Secretary of State Colin Powell likes to say, capital is a coward. It flees from
conflict and unpredictability. It hides at any hint of threat. It goes where it is welcomed and allowed to gain
and grow. The peace agreement must, therefore, result in day-to-day peace and order.

At the same time, for business and people’s opportunities to thrive, peace and order must be accompanied by
good infrastructure, good governance, and good policy environment.

Relations with Muslim neighbors

Third, it will solidify our relations with our Muslim neighbors in the South, particularly, Indonesia, Malaysia,
and Brunei Darussalam individually, but also in ASEAN as a whole.

It is unrealistic to expect some of our Southeast Asian neighbors not to be sympathetic with their Muslims
brothers in the Philippines, particularly when everyone could see the sad state of their economic and social
conditions, not to mention injustice and prejudice.

The late O.D. Corpuz, in his classic "The Roots of the Filipino Nation," reminded us that where Spaniards
were often beset by their fellow Christians during the colonial period - the Portuguese, Dutch and British -
the Muslims of Maguindanao and Sulu were supported by Muslim sultans and royal datus of Ternate, Tidore
and Borneo in their campaigns.

Genuine peace and development in Mindanao will make it easy for our neighbors to be objective in dealing
with the Philippines on other regional issues of common concern. This is very crucial because some of them
have similar problems like us, such as for instance the plight of migrant workers and the question of the West
Philippine Sea. These are long-term issues that require us to partner with as many like-minded countries as
possible.

Peace in Mindanao will enhance the Philippines’ standing not only in the region but also in the entire Islamic
world. It will be a statement of our nation’s maturity and ability to live harmoniously together despite our
diversity and even differences. It could open doors for the Philippines to participate in both inter-
governmental and non-governmental organizations among those who profess Islamic faith and way of life in
our own region and beyond.

Quality of peace

In the end, it is the quality of peace that truly matters. And the quality of peace depends greatly on the quality
of peace agreement and its implementation. Peace in Muslim Mindanao means more to Filipinos in
Mindanao. It is about the righting of history. It is about reconciling our diversity while pursuing mutually-
agreed measures of self-determination. We should aim for an inclusive peace where everyone benefits and
could pursue his or her potential and happiness.

We do not dare to second-guess the great Mahatma Gandhi when he said that peace is its own reward. But at
times when the road to peace is not easy, we must work hard to ensure that peace is preserved by producing
something good out of it for all concerned while, at the same time, building defenses against persistent threats
and bullies at home and abroad.
Let us all embrace this historic opportunity. There is time for everything, including a time for war and a time
for peace. Now is a time for peace.

Jun Abad is Senior Fellow of the Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS) in the Philippines and
former director of the ASEAN Regional Forum Unit at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta. He is the author
of “The Philippines in Asean: Reflections from the Listening Room.” The opinions expressed in this article are the
author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations of his affiliation.

Republic Act 10591

10591, otherwise known as “ Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act ”. These
rules shall be interpreted in the light of Article 1, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10591, which
stipulates that: “It is the policy of the State to maintain peace and order and protect the people from
violence. Dec 7, 2013

Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10591