In a parallel post in Barrio Siete, I’ve pointed out how the travel advisory by two influential countries in the world has dire implications for Philippine tourism and investments. It’s a pity that a region which boasts of the richest, most unspoiled tourism spots in the country suffers from negative first impressions, simply because there exists in some areas a rash of kidnappings, terrorism threats and civil war for decades. And most recently, there is of course the shock brought about by the utter violence of the Maguindanao massacre.

As of November 24, 2009, the US Embassy Manila – through its embassy warden system – updated its old travel warning to Mindanao to include the Maguindanao incident:

” Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling in the central and western portions of the island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Recent violence in Maguindanao resulted in the Government of the Philippines declaring a state of emergency in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and the city of Cotabato. The state of emergency includes road checkpoints conducted by the Philippine military and law enforcement. If U.S. citizens travel to Maguindanao despite this Travel Alert, they should understand there are heightened tensions and there will be a significant military presence. They should carefully research restrictions imposed upon travel and follow the instructions of officials with regards to limitations on movement.”

I actually find reading the travel advisory very informative. Here, I learn that “some foreigners who reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security.”

Funny, but even if I am a Filipino, I get jitters about travelling to the region – even if it’s a simple thing as riding the plane to Davao. Even if I’d be rich enough to hire security, it has to be security I trust. This is all unfortunate since there are some beautiful areas in Mindanao I’d really love to see, like Lake Sebu and Tawi-tawi.

There are only 30 countries in the world where the US State Department has placed CCurrent Travel Warnings. A country in the list is deemed “dangerous and unstable” for the long term. Unfortunately, the Philippines is the only country in Asia to make it to the list, and it’s put in the same league as Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, Yemen, and Sudan, among others.

Tsk, tsk. See the reasons why.

Ironic but true. Are Filipinos masochists? Or is it just those imperious American Embassy “diplomats” who lack respect for Filipinos (and their hard-earned $131), denying them of their right to a US visa within one minute of seeing them?

The US Embassy in Manila has of course become less “inhuman” already. I remember the time when I got my first US visa in the 90s. People camped outside the embassy premises as early as 10 pm for their interview the next day. Twelve or more hours of waiting for an interview that would only last two minutes or so.

Still, what is highly doubtful about the visa process is how the counters are manned by babes-in-the-woods visa officers who are armed only with their own biases and bigotry about the Philippines and Filipinos. Extreme biases and bigotry at that.

The official US Embassy Manila document says: ” Consular officers make their decisions based on their …. their familiarity and understanding of the Philippines, and the accumulated information available to them based on previous Filipino visa applicants.” This is of course baloney. Chances are these visa officers (especially the younger ones) have not been outside Serendra or the US Embassy Clubhouse to lay claim to an iota of understanding of the Philippines. Vacationing in Punta Fuego doesn’t count either. They have not lived with Filipinos or assimilated themselves to Filipino culture, not unlike the fallen US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell who should be called a heroine in her own right. The “accumulated information” part if questionable as well. If Juan flew the coop upon arriving in California, does it mean you have to judge every Pedro, Miguel and Alejandro of the same motives?

We are not oblivious to the fact that the Philippines has one of the highest rates for illegal aliens in the United States. It is a shame really. For every TNT Pedro who sent a balikbayan box of Spam to his folks back home, poor Pilar has to take the brunt for it when it’s time to apply at the embassy. And yet, it probably escapes US Embassy Manila people that the reason why illegal aliens increased was because their dimwitted visa officers issued visas to the wrong people, based on their false assessments and shortsighted knowledge of their country of assignment.

(to be continued)