Cebu officials, traders shocked over shooting

CEBU officials and the Chinese community in Cebu were shocked and saddened over yesterday’s shooting that claimed the lives of two Chinese consulate officials and injured the newly appointed Chinese consul general.

“The Filipino Chinese community in Cebu extends our heartfelt condolences to those that died and pray for the full recovery of (Chinese) Consul General (Song Rong Hua).  We hope that the truth will come out as to the reason for this unfortunate incident,” said Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry past president Philip N. Tan, who is of Chinese descent.

Ambassador Frank Benedicto declined to comment, saying he still had to  get more information.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said while the incident won’t strain the ties between Cebu and China, it will affect the province’s  image as a tourism destination.

“To me, it was a security lapse that the (suspects) were able to pass with a gun,” she told Cebu Daily News.

Magpale said she first met Chinese Consul General Song RonghHua and his wife during the Autumn Festival at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City last Sept. 27. The event coincided with the 66th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

“He delivered a speech and I was so impressed because he has very good English. He has very good PR, too. We even danced,” Magpale said.

Cebu City Councilor Nendell Abella said he received a call from a Cebu-based Chinese businessman asking about the incident.

“It’s sad that the incident happened in the city especially during a time when Mayor Michael Rama is out of town,” Councilor Dave Tumulak said.

Rama is on official travel to Japan.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, who heads the Cebu City Command Center, said the violence  was  an isolated case.