‘They’re back’
Security measures in place so foreign tourists “have nothing to worry about”
Police, military, coast guard and DOT 7 provide updates on the situation in southern Cebu weeks after US, UK and Canada issued travel advisories in these areas citing terrorist threats In a related development, 50 Oslob boatmen who surrendered to be monitored
FOREIGN tourists have returned to Oslob, Cebu, according to the southern town’s mayor Jose Tumulak Jr.
Police, military and coast guard (CG) security measures have been in place in Oslob, Santander and Dalaguete since the embassies of the US, UK and Canada issued earlier this month a travel advisory to these areas, citing terrorist threats.
The mayor yesterday welcomed members of the Cebu Tourism Officers Association, who met in the town, to receive updates on the situation from Department of Tourism 7 Director Rowena Montecillo, the police, military and CG.
“We’ve emphasized that travelers shouldn’t worry because we are here, that they don’t have to be afraid of any threat,” said Army Corporal Bon Carlo Cusay in Cebuano during the meeting.
CG Petty Officer 1 Reden Pimentel, for his part, said they’ve been patrolling the waters around Sumilon Island in Oslob, Apo Island in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Local and foreign tourists have been flocking to Oslob to watch and swim with whale sharks.
Income earner
Last August, Tumulak said the industry earned P35.6 million: 60 percent went to the boatmen, who belong to the Tan-awan Oslob sea wardens and fishermen’s association, 30 percent went to the Municipal Government and 10 percent went to the barangay.
Four tourist buses carrying Taiwanese and Chinese tourists were parked at the town’s baywalk yesterday.
An American national, who hails from North Carolina, was spotted jogging in the park. He said he was on his way to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, but the ferry boats were grounded due to the poor weather.
Michelle Pilapil, a worker at the Oslob Museum, said they used to have more than a hundred visitors to the museum, but the number has dropped considerably since the travel advisories were issued.
“Maayo na lang kung naay (We’re lucky to get) 20 (visitors),” Pilapil said.
Meanwhile, the mayor said that the 50 boatmen, who admitted taking drugs, formed part of the more than 300 persons who surrendered during Oplan Tokhang.
Promise to reform
Insp. Deni Mari Pedroso, Oslob police chief, said that of the 387 surrenderers, 26 were drug pushers.
The mayor said the surrenderers, who underwent profiling and assessment, promised to reform their ways and to avoid il- legal drugs.
He said barangay captains, the police and boatmen associations are monitoring their ways.
Tumulak said surrenderers have been joining anti-drug rallies, parades and anti-drug campaigns.
Pedroso said different barangay programs intended for the surrender- ers have been organized, such as community service, sports activities and anti-drug lectures.
“If they don’t participate, they’ll be reported to the police and we will act against them,” he said in Tagalog.
He also said the boatmen promised to police their own ranks.