CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Acting Mayor Marcial Ycong is open to talks with the Korean community in the city, following the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte of the presence of alleged Korean mafia in the city.
Ycong remains confident that there is no mafia composed of Korean nationals in the city but said he still wants to create a dialogue with the Korean community in Lapu-Lapu so that they can air out concerns or express their side.
"Kung kinahanglan para naa’y coordination ba ang mga Korean community ug ang siyudad sa Lapu-Lapu," he said.
The city has been a popular tourist destination for foreigners, particularly Koreans.
As the place boasts long stretches of beaches, hotels and resorts, Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza said the city's tourism industry is not affected by the reports.
He also said that firm actions from Korean Consul should be done to quell movement from any alleged mafia group.
However, in one of the coordination meetings with the Korean Consul and t he Police Regional Office-7, Consul General Oh Sung-Yong denied the presence of Korean mafia.
The Korean community also plays a vital role in helping the Korean Consul in addressing the concern.
In terms of security, Chief Inspector Junnel Caadlawon of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office is counter-checking the background of Korean nationals in the city and conducting visits to establishments under their ownership.
With this recent development, PRO-7 Director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño said they will investigate after Duterte's statement in close-coordination with the Korean Police Attaché based in Cebu. (FREEMAN)