Philippines: Increased security for Davao festival Aug. 14-21

Event

The 32nd Kadayawan Festival is scheduled to take place in Davao City (Davao del Sur province, Mindanao island) from August 14 to 21 amid a tense security situation in the southern Philippines. Approximately 170,000 tourists are expected to attend the festival and several promotional events have taken place in and around Davao. Due to political turmoil in the Mindanao region, increased security measures will be implemented in the run up to and during the festival week. Transportation disruptions are also likely in the vicinity of festival events.

Context

The Kadayawan festival is a celebration of life held every year in the third week of August. This year's event comes as a major armed conflict is ongoing in Marawi City (Mindanao region; Mindanao island). Martial went into effect on the island within hours of the outbreak of fighting on May 23. On July 22, President Rodrigo Duterte extended the state of emergency throughout the Mindanao region until the end of 2017.

The Philippine government is currently battling various militant Islamist groups laying siege to the city, including Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the Abu Sayyaf militant group, and the Maute group. Around 246,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. The conflict is part of a wider decades-old insurgency in marginalized Muslim-majority areas of the Philippines.

Advice

Individuals are advised to avoid nonessential travel to Davao throughout the duration of the festival due to security concerns, monitor the situation, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities. As a reminder, most Western governments formally advise against all travel to southwest Mindanao and to the Sulu Archipelago due to terrorist activity, regular clashes between the military and insurgent groups, and the risk of kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf.