Canada reconsiders travel advisory for Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental

MANILA, Philippines — Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental are no longer on the list of provinces that Canadian citizens were advised to ”avoid all travel.”

In an updated travel advisory on May 1, Canada said its nationals should avoid “non-essential travel” to the two provinces.

All travel should continue to be avoided, according to the advisory, to Basilan, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Misamis Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay due to ”serious threat” of terrorism, kidnapping, ”high levels” of crime and violent clashes between security forces and rebel groups.

Citing risks of kidnapping and high levels of crime, Canadians were urged to also avoid non-essential travel to Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte.

Davao City, Siargao Island and Surigao del Sur are not on the list of areas to be avoided.

The travel advisory said risks of terrorist attacks and kidnappings remain, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula and Sulu archipelago.

Canada’s travel advisory for the Philippines was first issued in January on the heels of the bombing at the Mindanao State University on Dec. 3 last year, which killed four people.