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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 Mindanao1 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.
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Map of Mindanao |
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.
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