Following the issuance of separate travel advisories from Canada and Australia against traveling to the Philippines, Malacañang said in a press briefing on Thursday that the government and concerned law enforcement agencies are “taking active steps” in ensuring safety of tourists and visitors, both local and foreign.

The Philippine Information Agency reported that Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda clarified the said advisories were “normal advisories” issued by countries to be able to “protect and caution” their citizens when traveling abroad. The advisories particularly identified Mindanao because of its current peace and order situation.

Lacierda said, “We understand the reason for their doing so but we can assure them that our responsibility as a nation is to ensure the safety of our own citizens as well as the visitors who come here.”