Security updates in southern Cebu are discussed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) officials on Saturday morning. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
IT’S business as usual for tourist destinations in southern Cebu despite a recent warning by the US Embassy in Manila regarding kidnapping threats in the area, a tourism official said.
Judy Gabato, officer-in-charge of the regional Department of Tourism (DOT-7), said some local tour operators were concerned that their clients were about to cancel reservation bookings.
“They were about to cancel so they asked for our feedback. We assured them that there is no such thing. But everybody is alert on this and we are not taking this for granted,” she said after a briefing with officials from the Armed Forces and the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) yesterday.
Tourism stakeholders were updated on the existing security measures enforced by the military and police forces in Central Visayas following last Thursday’s pronouncement by the embassy.
Last Nov. 3, the embassy published on its website a message alerting US citizens not to travel to the southern part of the province.
The advisory warned that terrorist groups were “planning to conduct kidnappings in areas frequented by foreigners” specifically around Dalaguete, Santander, and Sumilon, an island off the coast of Oslob on the mainland.
At present, Gabato said there have been no reports of cancellations or tour operators postponing tour packages, particularly in the southern part of the island.
She added that one of the operators who earlier called the DOT for assurance on Cebu’s security situation hosted a tour last Saturday in Kawasan Falls, where mostly canyoneering services are offered.
While Cebu is known for its pristine beaches, the southern part of the island is steadily gaining fame among adventure seekers who visit the province to experience canyoneering in Badian or whale shark watching in Oslob.
“The business continues. Our tourists continue to enjoy our natural attractions and the undisturbed beauty of this island,” Gabato said.
Gabato said she is confident that Cebu is safe and secure amid intensified security measures put in place by PRO-7 along with the Central Command, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Navy in southern Cebu.
Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, CentCom commander, urged the public not to panic as the embassy’s statement is no cause for alarm.
“Terrorist groups know we are prepared in all mediums, be it land, water, or air. They will be deterred,” he said during the briefing.
He said existing security measures will remain in place until such time that the embassy retracts its travel advisory.
Del Rosario also proposed to put up a common tourist security communications network where both law enforcement personnel and tourism players can advise each other on possible threats in their areas.
With some of the Asean Summit and Miss Universe pageant events to be held in Cebu next year, del Rosario said security in the province is expected to intensify further.
Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito “Boboi” Costas, meanwhile, suggested that tourism stakeholders and law enforcement personnel maintain a constant exchange of information, whether or not there are threats on security.
Misung Kim, general manager of the Korean Travel Agencies Association in Cebu (KOTAA), said the embassy’s warning worries her especially because Koreans are quite sensitive with issues regarding safety.