Despite robbery Italian won't shun Cebu visit

CEBU, Philippines - The robbery incident that nearly cost his life will not be a reason for Italian tourist Michael Loungo not to come back for the Sinulog next year.

Loungo, 67, who was shot in both legs by motorcycle-riding robbers last Saturday morning in Barangay Capitol Site, said he will continue to come to Cebu City despite his bad experience because of his Cebuana girlfriend.

He explained that the Sinulog was not his primary reason in coming to Cebu but his beloved fiancée Mitzie Sabay.

 “I will keep coming back to Cebu. Not just because of the Sinulog but for her (Sabay). I like Cebu and I like her,” Loungo said in Italian. 

It was supposed to be Loungo’s first time to witness the Sinulog last Sunday. However, the Italian tourist spent his Sinulog in his hospital bed instead.

He however said that he still enjoyed the Sinulog by watching the contingents’ performances on television in his hospital room.

Loungo and two of his compatriots, Michele Acanfora and Franco Palatacci, were robbed outside the apartment they were staying in Capitol Site.

The robbers took Loungo’s blue Lacoste bag containing an IPhone worth P40,000; €5,000 (P280,000); P23,000, and other personal effects. Loungo tried to fight off the robbers prompting the criminals to shoot him.

The robbers also divested Acanfora and Palatacci their necklaces worth an estimated € 1,000 (P56, 000) before fleeing towards Escario St. The police until now failed to identify the robbers. – (FREEMAN)