After months of fighting between government forces and the MILF rebels in Central Mindanao, and the on-going hostage crisis in Basilan and Sulu, the general impression of people nationwide and in some parts of the world is that Mindanao if not the Philippines for that matter, has become unsafe for tourists.
With due respect to all news reporters and commentators, we would like to present the truth.
Firstly, that only a few portions of Mindanao were disturbed by the political unrest and these are in the hinterlands of the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sulu which are miles away from the progressive province of Zamboanga del Norte.
Secondly, that while it is true that there are places in Mindanao, like Basilan, Sulu, and Cotabato where kidnap for ransom is sometimes perpetuated by lawless elements, the peace and order situation in the rest of Mindanao, specifically in the province of Zamboanga del Norte has remained stable and undisturbed.
Lastly, we would like to correct the ‘impression’ of some non-Mindanaoans that the whole island of Mindanao is already in chaos where tourists’ security or life is endangered.
It is also wise to note that the word “Zamboanga’, which is most often used as the dateline by the news correspondents, refers to Zamboanga City only and does not necessarily mean the whole of Zamboanga Peninsula which the province of Zamboanga del Norte is part thereof.
We would like to make all newsreaders and television viewers aware that the Philippine National Police and the military has have considered Zamboanga del Norte as the most peaceful province in Western Mindanao, if not throughout the whole island of Mindanao for consistently having the lowest crime rates. If there are cases of lawless activities in this province, these are only isolated and remote cases confined to its far-flung southernmost border with Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur.
The fad that this province is very far from troubled spots where lawless elements operate, there is a need that Zamboanga del Norte should be excluded from the lists of provinces in Mindanao where tourists’ are being discouraged from visiting.
We invite everybody to see for himself herself the truth, to tour the province of Zamboanga del Norte and feel the hospitality of our people and the favorable peaceful and orderly climate of our tourist destinations.
