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“We note with deep concern that recent events have already prompted advisories from foreign embassies in the country’s top visitor source markets, which could adversely affect tourist confidence and the Philippines’ image as a safe and welcoming destination,” the Department of Tourism said in a statement as quoted by Inquirer.

It urged authorities to conduct a “swift and thorough” investigation.

The shooting took place around 10:40 p.m. on Aug. 15 as the tourists exited a taxi in an entertainment area known for karaoke bars, restaurants, and hotels frequented by tourists, Mainichi Shimbun reported.

Witnesses said an assailant approached the men, opened fire, and fled on a motorcycle after seizing their belongings.

Police announced Monday that two suspects had been detained in connection with the killings, though the motive remains under investigation.

The shooting came at a time as the Filipino government is trying to boost safety measures to improve experience for foreign tourists.

A recent survey by U.K. financial comparison site HelloSafe ranked the Philippines as the world’s most dangerous country but the list was later removed following backlash from Philippines’ tourism insiders who dismissed the results as “biased and misleading.”

In the first six months of this year, the Philippines received 2.9 million international tourist arrivals, far fewer than Thailand’s 16 million and Vietnam’s 10.7 million.

The Philippines, boasting over 36,000 kilometers of coastline, has set a target of 8.4 million foreign arrivals in 2025, representing a more than 55% increase from the 5.4 million recorded last year.