Advisory scares off vacationers

CEBU, Philippines - Despite assurances by the police that there is no direct threat to Southern Cebu, two resort owners there confirmed that several prospective guests have cancelled their bookings because of the alleged security threat.

During the Cebu Provincial Peace and Order Council emergency meeting yesterday called for by Governor Hilario Davide III, resort owners in Argao and Dalaguete said six bookings have been cancelled by their guests, including Americans, because of the travel advisory issued by the US Embassy.

Joy Fallon, owner of BJ’s by the Sea in Poblacion, Argao, said three booking have been cancelled including an American couple who were supposed to arrive Sunday but decided to cancel because of the “terrorist scare”.

There was also a party of 15 who also cancelled their whale shark watching in Oslob because of the alleged threat, while another Polish couple who have been their guests since Saturday are too afraid to leave the resort.

Another resort general manager in Dalaguete also said three bookings were cancelled also by prospective guests because of the alleged security threat.

Teresita Araneta, general manager, of Dakong Bato in Dalaguete town also expressed concerns on policemen conducting security checks on resorts and hotels.

She said that some resort owners are hesitant to let police in so they can conduct a security survey. She said policemen must at least provide identification or proof they are legitimate members of the PNP, adding that some people with ill intent may pretend to be police just to enter the resorts.

No Threat

The Police Regional Office-7 confirmed that there is no security threat in the whole province of Cebu, despite the travel advisory.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, Deputy Regional Director for Operation of PRO-7, confirmed this during the CPPOC meeting.

“There was no presence of Abu Sayyaf in Cebu. We are assuring that Central Visayas is safe and secure. No direct threat, but we urge the public to be always vigilant,” Lawas said.

Police deployed personnel to areas in the province particularly to some tourist destinations in Southern Cebu such as Sumilon Island in Oslob after the travel advisory was issued. They reported no security threats.

However, during the assessment of the police they observed some resorts did not hire security guards for their establishment and suggested they provide their own security system.

“You should provide your security system that is important”, Lawas said.

The police also suggested that local government units should convene all level of peace and order council to discuss the current situation in their respective towns and cities and probably come up with a resolution based on their own assessment to dispel the alleged threat.

Sowing Threats

The military believes the Patikul-based Abu Sayyaf bandits are the ones trying to sow threats of kidnapping in Southern Cebu.

This was revealed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Central Command during the council meeting yesterday, although authorities still maintain that there is no direct threat or presence of the bandit groups in Southern Cebu contrary to the travel advisory. 

The presentation prepared by Centcom Commander Lieutenant General Raul Del Rosario showed the Peace and Order Council how the bandit group orchestrated their past kidnappings in Samal Island and Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan.

Taking the cue from the terror group's style, the Centcom presentation hopes to aid local police, communities and resort owners in the southern towns on how to go about in the event a similar incident happens.

The Centcom briefing included how the bandits traveled to the resorts in both Palawan and Samal Island, including the type of boats they used.

The modus on how they enter a resort was also explained. For example, the bandits pose as fishermen refueling their boats. Photos of suspected Abu Sayyaf members were also shown during CPPOC meeting held at the Capitol Social Hall in Cebu City.

Centcom has described frontliners in the kidnapping to be "good-looking" or "mestizo-looking" men that may befriend resort's female staff.

The military also showed the map of Sumilon Island which is accessible from the open sea.

The PNP Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard, however, said that have already stationed different patrol boats off the coasts of Dumaguete City, Siquijor Province, and along Bohol's Panglao Island.

The council meeting included the various law enforcement agencies as well as 10 southern town mayors. Resort owners from those towns were also present during the meeting.

Cebu Provincial Police Director Senior Superintendent Eric Noble assured resort owners and visitors that they have already conducted security inspections in all of the towns which included briefing resort owners and shoreline communities of possible threats.

Noble said the latest information and advisories from the Provincial Police can be accessed via Facebook. He said this is the fastest way to disseminate information aside from the local media.

Noble also reiterated that there was no kidnapping in Cebu and dismissed hoax posts that tourists have already been kidnapped in Dalaguete and other towns in the south.

Davide also assured Cebuanos and visitors that Cebu remains safe and that the province is still not feeling the effects of the travel advisory despite a few resorts claiming cancellations.

He also urged netizens not to post any false information on social media that may scare off tourists.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale also wanted the police and the military to also patrol Northern Cebu and its tourist spots frequented by foreigners. She said the threats in the south could be just a diversion.

Resort owners wanted the patrolling of the seas in the south to be a permanent and regular course for authorities.

Maribago Bluewater Resort in Sumilon said that the island has been a target of pirates even during the Spanish times and regular patrols around the island is essential with or without a travel advisory.

Meanwhile, Oslob Mayor Jose Tumulak also said there appears to be no adverse effect of the threat to tourism in Oslob, but added they will still have to observe the coming days. 

Safe  Haven

With heightened security measures imposed in southern part of Cebu province, the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas maintained the south is still a safe and pristine haven for tourists.

DOT-7 officer-in-charge Judy Gabato said tourism in Southern Cebu is apparently unaffected amid threats and unverified reports circulating online.

“We can give the assurance that the entire Central Visayas, with its three provinces, is safe and secure. Tourists continue to enjoy the beauty of Cebu Island especially the three municipalities (Dalaguete, Oslob and Sumilon Island),” she said yesterday in an interview over the phone.

When she travelled by land to Southern Cebu sometime this week, she said business establishments are still “busy” and continue to operate.

The Provincial Board has called on the local government units in Cebu to tighten their security measures.

 “Urging all LGUs, cities, towns and barangays, to conduct verification and possible assessment of questionable personalities within their respective territorial jurisdictions for security purposes in view of the security advisory issued by the Embassy of the United States of America,” read the PB resolution.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said barangays should help in tracking down the suspicious people.

“They would know. The barangay captain, for instance, would know the residents. So every new face should at least be tracked down,” she said.

Board Member Sun Shimura, chairman of the committee on public safety, said LGUs should help monitor and not just solely depend on the police.

Magpale agreed, saying “Cebu is too big for our uniformed men, so maybe the barangays could also help.”

Police Regional Office-7 director Noli Taliño said according to the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, there will be a one team from the AFP arriving in Cebu to augment the security in Cebu province. — with Dale G. Israel, May B. Miasco, and Kristine B. Quintas/BRP (FREEMAN)