No threats in the south; safety measures in place

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has assured that counter-measures are in place to keep the province safe, following the reinstatement of the travel advisory of the United Kingdom discouraging its residents from travelling to southern part of Cebu.

Superintendent Janet Rafter, who heads the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB), told reporters that target-hardening measures have been in place to keep locals and tourists safe from terrorism.

“The CPPO, in coordination with the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), is still conducting validation on this report. Nevertheless, we are still strengthening our targets,” she said.

She added that they have not monitored any presence of terroristic activities in the Southern part of Cebu.

She cautioned though that it is better to be safe, and practice vigilance for security.

“I would also encourage all of us to be cautious of their personal security kasi alam nyo naman mga criminals, regardless, will always look for opportunity to do their illegal acts,” she said.

Colonel Noel Baluyan, commander of Task Force Cebu from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that they are in full coordination with the police to ensure the safety of everyone.

Based on the threat level of the southern part, terrorism is a possibility, he said.

But based on their intelligence reports, they have not monitored any planned terror attack.

Even with the absence of monitored terroristic activity, they still have personnel deployed to keep Southern Cebu safe.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, for her part, expressed concern over the British travel advisory discouraging travel to southern parts of Cebu, specifically Dalaguete and Badian.

The Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) of United Kingdom cited terrorism as the reason of an advisory released on its official website last August 13.

“The FCO advised against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands) and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian, due to the threat of terrorism,” stated the FCO advisory.

Magpale was saddened by this development and further denied the presence of such threats.

“I’m shocked at the UK. Ang target pa naman sa ITOP (Inter-Island Tourism Policy) run is to go global,” she said.

ITOP is an association of island destinations of the world whose most members are part of Asia.

“We believe that if we can get the Western developed countries like UK unta to, we can have more arrivals. That’s why worried ta,” Magpale said.

With this turnout of events, Magpale urges the Department of Foreign Affairs to help “correct the impression” of UK towards the Philippines, particularly that of the towns under Cebu Province.

Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito “Boboi” Costas seconded that impressions in the global community is a factor for tourist arrivals.

“It’s too early to see the impact, but it’s a natural reaction for tourists to avoid destinations with perceived threats or risks,” he said.