Ricciardone urges lifting of US travel advisory on Mindanao

JOLO, Sulu — US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone called for the lifting of a United States travel advisory for the country, citing its adverse effects on the economy.

"I would urge the lifting of that (travel) advisory, of that warning, as soon as possible," Ricciardone said here Friday upon his visit to inspect projects initiated by the US government in the island province.

Ricciardone said he would personally work out the exclusion of Sulu from the travel advisory earlier issued by the US government as a warning to its citizens against traveling to the archipelago. The advisory cited possible kidnapping and terror attacks.

"In coming here and celebrating all the positive things, I don’t mean to whitewash the serious problems that are there," Ricciardone said.

The US envoy said the adverse travel warnings have had a negative effect on the economy of the country in terms of expected revenues from tourism and job opportunities.

He said the US government is interested in helping Filipinos to change the situation that initially triggered the issuance of the travel advisories.

Ricciardone acknowledged there are still security problems that must be addressed, both in the Philippines and in the US, adding such problems "don’t go away (by) pretending they don’t exist."

"They exist and you need to address them," he said. "You address them by teaching like these Ulamas (Muslim religious leaders) are doing."

The US envoy cited the efforts of the Ulamas in pointing out to the faithful the misguided principles of religious extremism that use Islam to justify terrorism.

Muslim leaders here are particularly concerned about the activities of the extremist Abu Sayyaf in calling for a holy war against "non-believers" of Islam to justify kidnapping and terror attacks.

Washington and Manila have said the Abu Sayyaf has had links to the regional terror network of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

Ricciardone said the problem of economic displacement caused by the Abu Sayyaf could be addressed by providing livelihood projects for the people and proper guidance from religious leaders.

"The message of the Ulamas here is support what is good and reject what is bad," he said. "Most of the people are doing that."

The US envoy expressed optimism that the situation in Sulu will change with positive support from religious leaders along with the support of local officials and residents.

"I am a person of faith, I think that will change. We want to help that change and then the advisories will melt away," Ricciardone said.

The ambassador’s comments were in contrast to the tougher-sounding remarks of US Chargé d’ Affaires Joseph Mussomeli, who recently warned that the Southern Philippines could become "an Afghanistan-type situation" and a "Mecca for terrorism" if the peace and order problems were not addressed.

Ricciardone admitted, however, there are still areas in the region that remain a security risk for both Americans and Filipinos.

"It shouldn’t be. That should not be in a country like the Philippines or a place like Sulu. It shouldn’t be but it is, with places that are not good to do business, where no businessman will invest because there is kidnapping, and where there are crazy people who think the religion tells them to murder," Ricciardone said.

The ambassador also announced the US government would be sending experts to assess what programs would be needed to push economic development in the region,

During his tour here, Ricciardone unveiled various US-supported programs that include road rehabilitation projects, electrification and computer literacy programs.

The US envoy was accompanied by other embassy officials and a military contingent led by Brig. Gen. David Fridovich.

Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Umberto Colesanti, for his part, likewise promised to help out in the economic development of the region.

"(The) US military will not be coming here in the sense of military deployment – that won’t happen," Ricciardone stressed.

He clarified the military experts are not part of the forces that participated in the Balikatan joint military exercises in Basilan in 2002.