DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Alliance for Progress (MAP) said Saturday there is no evidence linking the Bondi Beach shooting suspects’ stay in Mindanao to any form of militant activity or military-style training, disputing claims that have labeled the region a “terror hotspot.”
The MAP issued the statement following media reports that described Mindanao as such after disclosures that two individuals involved in the Bondi Beach attack in Australia had previously stayed in Davao City.
According to MAP coordinator Mayet Valdez, accounts from hotel staff indicated that the individuals largely remained inside their rooms and went out only for brief periods during their stay.
Valdez stressed that Mindanao has enjoyed years of relative peace, particularly after the signing of the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which she described as a turning point for security and development in the region.
“There is no evidence that they received military-style or terrorist training while in Mindanao. Generalizing an entire region based on unsubstantiated claims is misleading and irresponsible,” she said.
The MAP urged media organizations and international officials to exercise caution in their language and rely strictly on verified information, warning that stigmatizing narratives could undermine ongoing peace-building and development efforts.
“Branding Mindanao as a terror hotspot disregards the hard-earned gains in peace and stability,” Valdez said, noting that such labels could discourage investment, deter tourism, and weaken public confidence in communities striving to move beyond conflict.
Meanwhile, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno also described reports tagging Mindanao as a “terror hotspot” as misleading and unfair.
“Mindanao should not be judged by the actions or movements of isolated individuals, especially when there is no evidence that any planning, radicalization, or operational support for the attack occurred in the region,” Magno said.
He added that millions of tourists, business travelers, overseas workers, and foreign nationals pass through Mindanao each year for legitimate purposes.
“Mere presence does not equate to complicity,” Magno said, emphasizing that Mindanao today is far more stable, secure, and peaceful than it was decades ago.
He added that sustained peace processes, counterterrorism cooperation, and community-based security initiatives have significantly improved the region’s safety and investment climate. (PNA)