AVOID CEBU?
Citing ‘unsubstantiated but credible’ information, US Embassy asks its citizens to avoid crowds in Bohol and Cebu or rethink plans to visit Central Visayas.
Foreign tourists and locals planning to go to Central Visayas are advised to be vigilant and to practice personal safety after the United States (US) Embassy issued a travel warning to its citizens yesterday.
Posted on their website was the advisory that stated that the embassy received “unsubstantiated yet credible information that terrorist groups may attempt to conduct kidnappings in Central Visayas,” particularly in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol.
However, local police officials said there is no direct and specific threat in the region.
“Don’t panic because there were no reports, but they have to remain alert and vigilant and to report to the nearest authority if they see suspicious-looking persons,” Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Noli Taliño said.
The full alert status, which was raised last year in the region remained, which means that the
US Embassy issues travel warning to citizens visiting Central Visayas
integrated security system between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still in place, Taliño said.
The advisory told American citizens to avoid places of convergence and to review their travel plans.
“US citizens are advised to carefully consider this information as you make your travel plans, and to review personal security plans, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and remain vigilant at all times. Citizens should be mindful of the importance of taking preventative measures to ensure their safety and security while traveling and residing in the Philippines,” it stated.
With the ongoing Holy Week and summer season, authorities are prepared for the influx of tourists, with the Cebu City Police Office mobilizing 1,300 personnel.
City Director Joel Doria said there is no cause for worry because they have not monitored any presence of terror groups in Cebu City.
“We already strengthened our forces. They should not worry, our personnel are always on guard,” Doria said.
Citing successive terrorist activities around the world, the warning also informed citizens of the worlwide caution.
“The US Embassy wishes to remind US citizens of the most recent worldwide caution, dated March 7, 2017, which indicates there is an ongoing threat of terrorist actions and violence against US citizens and interests abroad, including the Philippines,” the post stated.
“Extremists have targeted sporting events, theaters, markets, mass transportation systems, including airlines, and other public venues where there are large crowds. Crowded nightclubs, shopping malls, buses and popular restaurants have also been targets,” it added.
Taliño said that PRO 7’s more than 7,000 men were already mobilized since the full alert status.
“All police stations are involved, all patrollers and intel, too,” he said.
Last November, the US Embassy also issued a travel warning on the risk of kidnapping in the southern portion of Cebu, specifically in the areas of Dalaguete and Santander, including Sumilon Island.
Recently, the Bureau of Immigration in Manila arrested two suspected high-ranking members of the military terror group ISIS.