DFA: China travel advisories ‘mischaracterize’ PH situation
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday refuted China’s recent travel advisory in which it warned its citizens of the “worsening” public security and crime situation in the Philippines, “with increasing crimes targeting Chinese nationals.”
“The relevant travel advisories issued by China mischaracterize the situation in the Philippines,” the DFA said in a statement.
Law enforcement authorities are addressing reported crime incidents, including those perpetrated by Chinese nationals against their compatriots, while the government was also coordinating with relevant parties on the cases, it added.
“The Philippines remains committed to constructively addressing matters of mutual concern with China,” the DFA said.
It also recalled the recently concluded joint consular consultation meeting between Beijing and Manila, where both sides tackled respective concerns and measures, “and expressed readiness to deepen law enforcement cooperation.”
In the travel advisory released on Aug. 30, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the increasing crime incidents in the Philippines were allegedly targeting Chinese nationals.
It reminded Chinese citizens to “closely monitor local security, exercise increased caution, strengthen self-protection measures, avoid high-risk areas, and ensure personal and property safety, while also advising those intending to visit the country to conduct careful risk assessments before planning trips.”
Not worsening
Reacting to the travel advisory, the Philippine National Police maintained that the country’s crime situation was “not worsening” and that crime rates dropped by 16.5 percent in the first eight months of 2025.
Data shared by PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño on Monday showed that 26,969 incidents of focus crimes occurred between Jan. 1 and Aug. 28 last year, compared to 22,519 incidents during the same period this year.
Focus crimes include murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, theft of motorcycles and motor vehicles, and theft.
“The crime situation has not worsened in the Philippines,” Tuaño stressed at a press briefing at Camp Crame.
According to him, acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also ordered the Directorate for Intelligence to coordinate with the Chinese embassy.
“We will follow the proper channels and procedure to approach the Chinese embassy and know the specific grievances they were mentioning,” Tuaño said.
The travel advisory came a month after the Chinese Ministry of Education reportedly issued on July 18 an overseas study alert, calling on students to “assess the security risks” of studying in the Philippines.
Then PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said that while they respected China’s opinion, he believed the Philippines had become a “battleground” for Chinese nationals committing crimes against their compatriots.
