Envoy seeks security for Iranians in city

Cebu - Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani yesterday visited Acting Mayor Michael Rama to ask for security for the more than 300 Iranians in Cebu City.

But Rama made no promises to the Ambassador, albeit saying that the city has an effective security plan in place.

“I could not guarantee him that because crimes can be committed. What I could guarantee is that I am serious, very serious, with a security plan, which will ensure the safety of everybody,” Rama said.

Last week, 20-year-old Ashkan Aminian of Kermanshah, Iran, who was set to graduate from his biology course in March, was found dead with a gunshot wound in his face along the road in Sacred Heart Hills, Capitol Site.

Rama, head of the city’s Police Coordinating and Advisory Council, said the city will be employing the security plan it uses during the Sinulog festivities to secure the safety of thousands of people that flock to Cebu to witness the event.

What the city’s police force will be doing, he said, is to gather data from schools, chambers and business to improve the existing security plan.

“We need data very seriously. They should go to schools, to chambers, businesses, get all this,” Rama said.

Iranians make up only a smaller percentage of foreign students in the Philippines with Koreans topping the list, followed by the Chinese. – Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)