Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday issued a reminder to tourists, both local and foreign, to show respect towards locals and adhere to proper conduct while visiting destinations in the Philippines. This announcement follows reports of an incident involving foreign tourists allegedly assaulting the owners of a local caf© in Siargao on May 11.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DOT refrained from specifically addressing the incident but emphasized the importance of tourists not expecting special treatment concerning the law. The department highlighted the Filipino reputation for warmth and hospitality, cautioning visitors not to misconstrue this as permission to disrespect local people, culture, or laws.

The DOT stated, "We, Filipinos, are known for our warmth. But hospitality is not an invitation to disrespect our people, our culture, or our laws. Every tourist is welcome in the Philippines, so long as they come with respect." The statement further reinforced that the legal standards apply equally to everyone, irrespective of nationality, and underscored the commitment to protecting both Siargao's tourism and Filipino dignity.

Reports from the local government of General Luna, Siargao, on May 12 confirmed the assault incident involving two unidentified individuals. Authorities are actively investigating the event, which has sparked discussions on social media. Some reports identified the foreign tourists as Israeli nationals, allegedly reacting to the caf©'s visible support for Palestine, although these claims remain unverified.

In light of this, the DOT urged the public to avoid generalizing or attributing the actions of a few individuals to an entire race or nationality. "We call on the public to not paint an entire race or nationality with the same brush. The actions of a few do not speak for the many," the department asserted in its statement.