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Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu on Wednesday says it is safe to visit his province despite a travel advisory issued by the United States.
Maguindanao was one of the areas identified in the travel advisory, wherein the US government warned its citizens against traveling to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago due to threats of kidnapping and terrorism.
Mangudadatu said the travel advisory may affect tourism in the province, but the situation in Maguindanao has improved following the deadly Mamasapano encounter last January, when 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos and 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants died.
“Wala na si Kato, si Basit Usman napatay na, pero kahit ganyan ‘wag lang rin magkumpiyansa,” Mangudadatu said.
He added the travel advisory is a government’s right to secure and safeguard its people.
“Nasa kanila naman ‘yan kasi malakas ang intelligence networking nila,” Mangudadatu said.
The governor believes the travel advisory is just temporary and will be lifted soon. Among areas identified in the US travel advisory are Cotabato City, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
Text: Lore Mae Andong, ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao
Photo: Mindanews.com (screengrab)
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
