BEIJING, Oct. 4 -- In a new wave of violence against the people of Chinese descendant in the Philippines, an official was shot dead in the northern city of Tuguegarao and two young merchants were killed in another shooting on Thursday.

The murders again revealed the country's poor security situation and underscored an urgency for Manila to act quickly to better protect every human life in the country and to cherish its ties with other countries.

Violence or enmity against Chinese citizens, or the people of Chinese origin in the Philippines, have, from time to time, hit headlines, and outraged all that have a peace-loving heart, regardless of their nationality.

There is a big question mark over the killings.

Only in September, a Chinese teenager was kidnapped by four gunmen in southern Philippines and another Chinese citizen was shot in its Bulacan Province.

Upon verification from the Philippines authorities, criminal gangs in the country plot to launch bombing attacks against the Chinese embassy, companies and shopping malls in the country, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The poor security situation in the Philippines has prompted Beijing to issue a travel alert advising its citizens to suspend their trips to the Southeastern Asian nation.

It's a slap in the face for a country that depends heavily on its tourism revenue, at a time when the number of tourists from China has already dwindled since September.

A Philippine tourism executive told Xinhua that his travel agency has lost 110,000 to 154,000 U.S. dollars during this year's week-long Chinese National Day holiday season, a golden period when Chinese tourists are usually willing to spend more on leisure and entertainment, both at home and abroad.

Moreover, many foreign investors also blacklist the Philippines for security reasons.

In a bid to save its reputation, it is time for Manila to take quick and concrete measures to put its house back to order, and reflect on how it can protect every human life on its territory.

Especially, the Philippine government should take immediate actions to safeguard the security of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country and try not to make the issue a stumbling block in its relations with China.

As to disputes between the two countries, Beijing insists that they be resolved in a proper manner. Therefore, Manila should not wink at the anti-Chinese attacks, which will erode China's confidence in improving bilateral ties.