Cebu’s Chinoy traders fear for their safety

CEBU CITY — The resurgence of kidnappings by Abu Sayyaf bandits and Tuesday’s killing of two ethnic Chinese hardware storeowners in the city are giving many Chinese-Filipinos here the chills.

Business leader Filomeno Lim said "Chinoy" businessmen now fear for their lives and are taking measures to protect themselves.

Lim, president of the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said the organization has issued a circular to its members urging them to be more security-conscious.

The circular also called on members to augment security around their establishments.

Last Tuesday, two armed men walked into Filmon Hardware on Escario street and killed the son of one of the owners and his cousin.

The two men tied up 28-year-old Brian Go and his cousins John Clemens Go Jr., Kathy Go and Karen Go using plastic straw, along with store employee Elizer Gacasan.

After taking P1,000 from a cash box, the robbers slashed John Clemens’ neck using a hunting knife, causing his instant death. The robbers strangled Brian using the plastic straw.

Lim said the police should not only focus on providing security to beach resorts that may be targeted by the Abu Sayyaf but the safety of Chinese traders as well.

"This is a very serious and delicate problem," he said.

Abu Sayyaf bandits seized 20 people, including three Americans, from the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan in a dawn raid last March 27.

Lim said policemen should be more visible in the city’s key areas to ward off criminal elements.

"What is happening now is a wake-up call for us," Lim told reporters.

Lim said the robbery could be an indication that criminality in the city is on the rise again.

Police officials are expected to meet with resort owners today to draft an integrated security plan for the coastal areas.

Amid police operations to secure the province, the regional police’s staff secretary Ronald Roderos said establishing a direct link with the community is necessary.

Resort managers and security officers will join police officials in today’s conference at Camp Sergio Osmeña.

"It is easy to respond if the community will also do their part. Peace and order is not only the responsibility of the police but of the community," Roderos said.

The operation, Roderos said, will utilize barangay information networks in coastal towns.

The provincial and city police directors have also been tasked to work closely with the Bantay Dagat Commission, resort security guards, barangay tanods, Bantay Bayan groups, radio communication groups and police auxiliaries.

Regional police intelligence and investigation chief Jonathan Miano said businessmen should hire security guards.

Roderos advised them to be more cautious in recruiting employees by requiring them to present clearances from the police, barangay and National Bureau of Investigation. — Freeman News Service