Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd L. Dino, has released a statement asking the US government to “substantiate” its advise to its US citizens to avoid going to southern Cebu due to kidnapping threats.
Dino’s statement, in full, said:
“So far, the province of Cebu, including the towns of Dalaguete and Santander, and the Island of Sumilon, is generally peaceful, and that there is no reported incident of kidnapping or any form of violence involving US citizens and other nationalities in those areas.
“I am in close coordination with the police authorities in the region. The police assured me that they do not have any verified reports about the alleged threats. The areas stated in the travel warning are secured and safe. The situation is normal and the tourists continue to enjoy the sights and the beautiful destinations undisturbed.
The US government needs to substantiate the report in order to avoid confusion among the local citizens and foreign visitors alike.”