11 March 2004 – It is the terrorists who benefit from  negative travel advisories, according to Foreign  Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert.

 “We must not allow the shockwaves of the bombs of  terrorists to carry the damage beyond the blast area.
 Travel advisories help and aid what terrorists hope to  achieve by multiplying and magnifying the damaging
 effects of bombs, by spreading and perpetuating fear  and terror.  Ultimately, travel advisories help  terrorists more than they help the traveling public,”  Secretary Albert said.

 The Secretary said that negative travel advisories,  particularly those that do not paint a true picture,  pass unjust verdicts that virtually condemn countries  as unsafe destinations.

 “We have all witnessed tragic terrorist attacks, some  of which have occurred even in supposedly impregnable
 bastions of security.  One can say ultimately that no  area on this planet is absolutely safe,” the  Secretary.  “This is particularly more so if the  advisories are based on rumors or old data,” she  added. “What is of greater relevance is to evaluate  and acknowledge the efforts and measures a given  government is taking to seriously and actively fight  terrorism and ensure the security of the public,” the  Secretary explained.

 The Secretary, however, was pleased to note the  positive positions taken by the Ambassadors of some of
 the countries which had issued travel advisories.

 “I am hearted to note that several ambassadors from  countries that had issued travel advisories have taken
 efforts to explain their side and to in fact issue  calls to their countrymen to continue to visit the  Philippines as tourists, businessmen and investors. However, I continue to hope that we will soon see an  end to these negative travel advisories,” Secretary  Albert said. END.