Canada cautions citizens on PH trips over safety concerns

Canada travel advisory: High caution for travel to PH over safety concerns | Photo by Oleksandr P on Pexels

The Canadian government highlights the “risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time” in specific areas of the Philippines. 

In its updated Jan.10 travel alert, the Canadian government advised its citizens to be extra cautious when traveling to certain parts of the country. Concerns about crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping prompted this advisory, urging Canadian travelers to stay on high alert. 

The Canada travel advisory explicitly advised its citizens to “avoid all travel” to the following provinces in Mindanao:

• 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

Additionally, non-essential travel is discouraged in 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

Taking a proactive stance, the advisory to “Avoid Non-essential Travel” signals a potential compromise to the safety of Canadians. Travelers are urged to scrutinize the necessity of their trips, considering factors such as family or business needs and familiarity with the region.

They advise travelers to stay indoors, be vigilant, avoid crowded places, carry identification, anticipate heightened security measures, comply with security checkpoints, monitor local media, and heed local authorities’ advice.