Italian nationals advised not to travel to Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines—The Italian Embassy in Makati City has advised anew its 1,010 nationals in the country—including 250 to 300 Catholic priests and nuns—to avoid traveling to Mindanao, which it calls a “red area.”

Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari on Tuesday said the embassy “has repeatedly suggested to Italians who are based here not to travel to Mindanao” due to the not so ideal peace and order situation in the region.

“Mindanao has always been a red area, as far as we’re concerned. We have repeatedly issued a maximum warning for them not to go there. Unfortunately, most of the Italian priests and nuns disregard our warning because it’s part of their mission,” Fornari told the Inquirer.

The embassy updates its travel advisory “every 10 days,” according to the envoy.

Fornari said that even before the October 17 murder of Fr. Fausto Tentorio, “we have a standing travel advisory, advising our citizens to avoid traveling to Mindanao.”

When interviewed, Fornari said there was “no need for increased security” at the embassy.

“Mindanao is about 800 kilometers from Manila … We don’t feel threatened here,” he said.

In July 2007, Italy reissued its travel advisory against the Philippines after Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi was abducted by suspected terrorists in Zamboanga Sibugay.

After 40 days in captivity, Bossi was released by his captors in Karumatan, Lanao del Norte.

On Tuesday, Fornari disclosed they “have yet to get new information” from the Philippine National Police about the killing of Tentorio.

“So far, we still have no idea who killed him or why he was killed,” said the diplomat, noting the embassy is “always in close contact with the police.”

At the same time, Fornari expressed hope Tentorio’s killer would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

The Italian government has condemned and sought justice for the killing of the priest.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, has yet to receive official word about the incident from the Italian embassy.

“No word yet” from the Italian mission, said Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson, in a text message to the Inquirer Tuesday morning.

The other day, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario condemned “in the strongest terms” Tentorio’s murder.

In a statement, Del Rosario offered the DFA’s “sincerest condolences to (Tentorio’s) congregation.”

“We call on the police to immediately bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice,” he said.