Olango Island tourism recovers

OLANGO ISLAND, Cebu – Tourism activities in the bird-watching island of Olango in Lapu-Lapu City has returned to normal a month after an unconfirmed report spread that Abu Sayyaf terrorists were seen in the area.

On April 20, a woman had reported to the captain of Barangay San Vicente, Olango spotting two armed men carrying long firearms and wearing masks. The men were believed to be remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group who escaped pursuing government forces in Bohol, but authorities downplayed the incident.

Senior Supt. Rommel Cabagnot, Lapu-Lapu City police chief, called the report a “false alarm” after the military searched the place and found no armed men there. The report, however, dampened the island’s tourism, according to Cyrus Eyas, village chief of barangays San Vicente.

“Tourism in Olango, particularly in Barangay San Vicente, experienced a decline in the number of local and foreign tourists for three weeks”, said Eyas.

He said the Olango Island Wildlife and Marine Sanctuary shut down for three days starting April 21 due to the reported sightings.

He said one of the island’s resorts, Casa Blanca By The Sea, reportedly had booking cancellations for December this year.

Eyas said he was thankful that tourists are returning to the island.

He assured the public that the town police is doing its very best to secure residents and tourists.

“We also added police officers in the station. From 27 personnel, now we already have 40,” said Eyas.

The police conducts day and night patrols in the whole island, most especially in hotels and resorts, added Eyas. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)