Condemnation of Germans may affect Alcoy tourism - Magpale

CEBU, Philippines – Saying that the move to declare two foreigners as persona non grata might affect the town negatively, the Provincial Board has asked the Municipal Council of Alcoy to reconsider its earlier decision to declare German nationals Thomas Hudak and Wolfgang Muller as undesirable aliens.

“Much as we fully subscribe to the wisdom of the Sangguniang Bayan of Alcoy and the propriety of the exercise of its power, the issues surrounding the case of the two foreigners may be handled in a manner that can have a lesser adverse impact on the municipality’s thrust of tourism development and growth,” said Board Member Agnes Magpale whose committee in the board reviewed the findings of the Alcoy town council.

“Nothing in this Resolution should be construed as granting favour or advantage to any of the parties concerned, but that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu, in the interest of justice, local tourism, and humanitarian reasons, wishes to uphold the interest of all concerned,” Magpale added.

Last month, the Municipal Council of Alcoy declared Hudak and Muller as persona non grata for allegedly being “arrogant, annoying, unpleasant and rude” to several residents of sitio Cancaya, barangay Poblacion.

The townsfolk claimed that the two foreigners have behaved rudely since the time they arrived in the barangay, shouted at the children, and even called their parents “stupid shit”.

The two also allegedly drove their motorcycles as if there is no one else in the place and drove with loud engines even in wee hours of the morning.

The residents argued that they have been living in a “peaceful and harmonious” place long before the two foreigners came.

But Magpale said declaring the two as persona non grata “might work as a deterrent to foreign tourists who wish to visit or stay in the locality.”

Alcoy Mayor Nicomedes de los Santos also said that it would be improper to declare the two German nationals as undesirable aliens because their offences are reportedly “not that grave” to declare them undesirable.

Still, Magpale advised the two Germans to be “more prudent, humble, fair and sensitive to the cultural sentiment and lifestyle of the residents of the locality.” — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)