Travel advisory
It seems our local officials and authorities have learned a lesson. When the latest advisory from the United Kingdom came out advising its nationals not to venture into Mindanao and the southern part of Cebu, there was no vehement reaction from local officials and authorities.
Instead of questioning the veracity of the advisory, the police assured that measures are in place against terrorism and other crimes. Superintendent Janet Rafter, chief of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said they are monitoring southern Cebu for any terroristic activities.
Colonel Noel Baluyan, commander of Task Force Cebu of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the military has been coordinating with the police in implementing security measures. But he admitted any terror attack in southern Cebu is possible.
As for the local government, the British travel advisory concerns Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale. While she was saddened by the development, Magpale denied the presence of any terror threat in the south.
These reactions were less aggressive than those against previous travel advisories on Cebu. When some Western governments advised their citizens against travelling to Central Visayas early last year, many in Cebu strongly questioned the advisory.
But those warnings turned out to be accurate when some bandits of the Abu Sayyaf group slipped into Bohol from Mindanao later in April. Now, following the latest UK advisory, a suspected Abu Sayyaf member was arrested by the police in Carcar City and recovered from him were assorted firearms, a grenade, a Koran, and a map.
The reality is that any travel advice from a foreign government could affect local tourism as tourists would not put their lives in danger venturing into areas listed under the advisory. And yes it is natural for local governments to complain.
However, instead of complaining, a more sensible move for the local governments, military, and police should be to unite and be more vigilant. What really counts here is the exclusion of southern Cebu from future travel advisories.