US consul’s comment boosts Cebu tourism

A boost to tourism.

This was how Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Robert Quenery described the effect of the statement of United States Consul General Russel Brown, who said Cebu is safe for American citizens.

“The threat of terrorism in Central Visayas is not imminent,” he said. “We still have to be on guard and we should always be alert and aware of the security requirements in the region.”

Quenery said the police are also on alert as the New People’s Army will celebrate its 49th founding anniversary on March 29.

“Traditionally, they celebrate it with violent incidents,” he said.

Brown said the travel advisory issued last year, which told Americans not to travel to southern Cebu after reports about possible terrorist threats, has not been extended to this year.

The diplomat, who visited Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) in Cebu City last Thursday, said everyone must remain vigilant.

Brown said there are about 8,000 to 10,000 American nationals living in Cebu. He listened to the report delivered by Senior Supt. Edgar Alan Okubo, CPPO director, on the provincial police’s success in decreasing crime volume to 15,881 in 2017 from 18,135 in 2016, or a 12.43 percent drop.

PRO 7 and CPPO have also formulated their security measures for the entire summer, including Holy Week. /