DAVAO CITY — The Mindanao Development Authority said the abduction incident involving three foreign nationals and a Filipina at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal Monday night is a setback to Mindanao’s tourism and investment upswing.
Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino in a statement also said that they call for the “immediate and unconditional release of the kidnap victims.”
Antonino said while the incident is not reflective of the entire Mindanao situation, “perception wise, it does stir a fair amount of concern.”
MinDA said that “Mindanao has seen a sustained uptick in both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in recent years in spite of travel advisories arising from isolated incidents of bombings and armed clashes in parts of the island.”
“The reinforced perception of Mindanao as an unsafe destination for tourists and investors should be matched with right context as the entire island pursues a vibrant economy,” it added. (davaotoday.com)
