In a press forum in Quezon City, Reps. Ace Barbers (Lakas, Surigao del Sur); Bienvenido Abante (Lakas, Manila) and Benasing Macarambon (NPC, Lanao del Sur) said it has become incumbent on the government to issue the travel advisory following an admission by the US government that terrorist threat of attack against the country is still high.

"Issuing a travel advisory is a manifestation of the government’s policy to protect the lives of Filipinos,’’ Barbers told reporters during the Usaping Balita Media Forum held at Serye Café.

Barbers, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Accounts, explained that the travel advisory should have a temporary effect and should immediately be lifted once the threat of terrorist operations in the US has been minimized.

"There is truly a plan by certain religious extremist groups to carry out a reign of terror in the US,’’ the young solon said.

On the other hand, Abante, a Christian preacher who regularly travels abroad, said the danger of an attack against the US has become greater as the anniversary of the Sept. 11 massacre nears.

"We have to make it clear that a travel advisory is not a restriction but merely an expression of concern by the government about the safety of its citizens,’’ he explained.

For his part, Macarambon said the issuance of a travel advisory is mandatory if the Arroyo administration wants to preserve the popularity and support it has achieved as a result of its handling of the Angelo de la Cruz hostage crisis.

"There is other reason for us to withhold the issuance of such advisory.

What we want is the safety of all Filipinos wherever he may be,’’ he said.

According to Macarambon, the government would only jeopardize its public approval rating if a Filipino becomes a victim of terrorist attack in the US mainly because he was not advised against the danger of visiting the country.