THE New Zealand government’s warnings to its citizens living or traveling in the Philippines remain in effect as of Sunday, after one of its citizens was fatally shot on February 19, trying to protect his girlfriend from a robbery in Makati City.
Reviewed on June 22, 2022 with a notation that the advisory is “still current at 26 February 2023,” the travel advisory published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (MFAT) website warns New Zealand citizens to “exercise increased caution elsewhere in the Philippines, including Manila, due to the threat of terrorism, risk of kidnapping, and violent crime (level 2 of 4).”
It informs its citizens of “high rates of violent crime” in the country such as armed robbery, assault, and murder, with “criminal gangs active in the Manila area, and have drugged and robbed unsuspecting tourists. Crime is more prevalent at night, particularly in urban areas.” It also admonishes its citizens not to resist if they fall victim to robbery, mugging, or carjacking “as this could lead to an escalation in violence.”
It advises New Zealanders to take taxis called by hotel staff or from taxis queued at the mall, “rather than hailing one in the street,” or use hotel transportation service or GrabTaxis.
Visitor arrivals reach 680,034
This developed as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated his support to the tourism sector, which can help the economy to recover, as he celebrated the Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival in Laoag City over the weekend. Speaking at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium on Friday, Marcos Jr. said, “I assure you that the government’s commitment to strengthen the domestic tourism industry remains a top priority and Ilocos Norte will play a very large part of that.”
He added, “The number of visitor arrivals is recovering. It is my hope that, by working together, we restore Ilocos’ vibrancy in tourism to pre-pandemic levels and beyond.” The festival is a dance-off among 23 towns and cities of Ilocos Norte, and was won by Currimao.
Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed visitor arrivals reached 680,034 from January 1 to February 14, 2023, of which 55,268 were overseas Filipinos, and 624,766 were foreign tourists.
South Korea regained its prepandemic rank as the top source market for tourists, accounting for some 28 percent of total arrivals, or 185,087. It was followed by the United States at 129,591 (19 percent of total); Canada at 35,693 (5.25 percent); Australia at 33,915 (4.99 percent); Japan at 24,763 (3.64 percent); Taiwan at 23,254 (3.42 percent); United Kingdom at 18,697 (2.75 percent); China at 15,879 (2.34 percent); Singapore at 14,817 (2.18 percent); and Hong Kong at 11,883 (1.75 percent).
New Zealand was ranked no. 22 with arrivals at 3,409, accounting for 0.50 percent of total tourists during the period.
‘Don’t travel to Sulu’
Meanwhile, the New Zealand government has also kept its Level 4 warning, telling its citizens, “Do not travel to central and western Mindanao (including the Sulu archipelago) due to the very high threat of terrorist activity, kidnapping and violent clashes between the military/police and terrorist or rebel groups.” Some lawmakers recently took issue with a Hollywood movie for allegedly portraying residents of Jolo, Sulu as Islamic separatist rebels.
In addition, the MFAT advises citizens to “Avoid non-essential travel to the remaining provinces of Mindanao due to the threat of terrorism, kidnapping and violent clashes between the military/police and terrorist or rebel groups (level 3 of 4).”
Tourist Nicholas Peter Stacey, 34, was walking along Filmore St. in Makati City with his girlfriend Pamela Villanoza, in the early hours of February 19, when one man alighted a motorcycle to rob the latter. Stacey tried to intervene but was shot in the ensuring scuffle. The assailant and his companion were able to speed away with items owned by Villanoza.
The DOT condemned Stacey’s killing and said it was working with authorities to immediately resolve the matter and ensure the safety of tourists in the country. (See, “DOT working with PNP, other government agencies to ensure safety of tourists,” in the BusinessMirror, February 23, 2023.) The alleged gunman has since surrendered to authorities.