“RECKLESS and irresponsible.”

This was how Vice President-elect Sara Duterte described the Twitter post of Raissa Robles about Mindanao as a dangerous place for tourism.

Even Duterte, the two-term Mayor of Davao City, expressed dismay over Robles’ statement which the incoming Vice President said is an insult to the people of Mindanao.

The Mindanaoan leader also wanted to correct Robles that under her father President Rodrigo Duterte administration, Mindanao became peaceful with less kidnapping and terrorist acts.

“The views expressed by Raissa Robles on Mindanao in reaction to the plan of incoming Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco to develop the region as a tourist destination are replete with journalistic recklessness and irresponsibility,” Duterte said.

“Something that calls for our collective condemnation as it grossly discriminates against all Mindaoans, especially those living in Moro communities,” she added.

The outgoing Mayor stressed that what Robles did was a demonization of Mindanao and an insult to its people, who also deserve to experience the gains of the Duterte administration over the past six years.

“Robles clearly wanted to undervalue everything that the Duterte administration has done in keeping the peace and security in Mindanao and ensuring that concerns caused by terrorist orgs, including kidnap for ransom groups, are addressed appropriately with the help of local governments and leaders of communities,” Duterte, the chairman of the Lakas-CMD and Hugpong ng Pagbabago, said.

According to Duterte, since 2016, the kidnapping operations by ASG in Mindanao have been significantly reduced compared to the previous years – and the authorities have successfully rescued all victims.

In Basilan, as confirmed by Rep. Mujiv Hataman himself, there had been zero kidnapping incidents since President Duterte came into office, Vice President Sara also pointed out.

All other incidents concerning ASG had been about the arrests and surrenders of their members and leaders.

“As a Filipino, Robles should be ashamed of herself for dangerously trying to stoke and encourage terrorist groups to target tourists in Mindanao,” she added.

Robles Twitter post came after Frasco stated her plan to open up Mindanao to tourism.

“Apprarently, Frasco would like to open up Mindanao to tourism. I’m sure the extremist Abu Sayyaf and other bandits would be pleased y the prospects of so many potential kidnap victims. Way to go, Frasco. Prep for ransom negotiations,” Robles’ Twitter post read.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) also criticized Robles for “generalizing” the security situation in the entire Mindanao region by insinuating that the plan to develop Mindanao into a tourism destination might result in more kidnapping incidents amid the government’s ongoing programs to boost safe tourism in the southern Philippines.

In a statement, the TPB said “it is unfortunate that a fellow Filipino would generalize an entire region in a way that also contributes to the prejudice suffered by our brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” as it stressed that measures are in place to ensure the safety of foreign and local travelers.

TPB added that the military, national and local law enforcement are continually making sure that destinations are safe.

“The Mindanao region is a safe tourism destination with peace talks continually being done in the region, military, national and local law enforcement are doing its best to keep our destinations safe, and local government units are also working with NGO’s and international organizations to make their destinations more sustainable and inclusive,” the board added.

The Tourism Promotions Board said it is mandated to promote the Philippines, which includes the beautiful destinations in Mindanao. With Cristina Lee-Pisco