Cebu is safe – PRO-7

CEBU, Philippines — Southern Cebu remains safe from any terrorist groups.

This was the assurance of Police Senior Superintendent Jonathan Cabal, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office-7, despite the travel advisories issued for parts of Cebu.

 “So far, iyung security situation sa southern Cebu is very peaceful and manageable…So I find it difficult to comprehend that the advisories given by those embassies since last year dapat ni-lift na,” Cabal said.

The United Kingdom has recently joined the growing number of foreign governments that issued a travel advisory for Mindanao and Central Visayas, particularly southern Cebu and Bohol, citing the threat of terrorism.

United Kingdom’s travel advisory followed similar notices issued by the United States, Australia, Canada, France, South Korea, and New Zealand.

The travel advisories have yet to be lifted, except for South Korea.

Even with the issuance of security advisories, Cabal claimed that the influx of tourists visiting southern Cebu remains the same.

Southern Cebu is home to several popular tourist attractions including Badian, Sumilon Island, Oslob and Moalboal.

On November 3 last year, the US Embassy in Manila issued a security advisory to its citizens on traveling to southern Cebu.

"The US embassy alerts US citizens that terrorist groups are planning to conduct kidnappings in areas frequented by foreigners on southern portions of Cebu island,” the alert read.

The alert comes after a chain message was passed around by Cebu residents on October 31. "If you know anyone in Cebu, tell them not to go to Sumilon Island, because that is where the Abu Sayyaf plans to do a kidnapping," the text message said in Cebuano.

The United Kingdom, on the other hand, issued travel advice for Mindanao and parts of Cebu on Monday, discouraging its citizens from non-essential travel there as the threat of terrorism continues to persist.

Non-essential travel to the rest of Mindanao — excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands — and to southern Cebu should be avoided because of threats of terrorism, it said.

In Bohol, suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf clashed with the military last April 11.

At least six members of the terrorist group, including known hostage killer Maumar Askali, alias Abu Rami, were reportedly killed during the clashes with government forces.

Officials, however, stressed Bohol is now a safe zone.

Senior Superintendent Eric Noble, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director, said all security measures have been in place in Cebu.

He said the police, military, navy, and coast guard are constantly monitoring the entry and exit points, especially the port areas in southern Cebu.

Cabal, for his part, has reminded the public to always stay vigilant.

“We would like to assure the public, tourists and residents alike that we are exerting our best efforts for Cebu and the region,” he said.

“And hopefully with the help of our kababayans in the south na whatever out-of-ordinary na nakikita nila ay relay the information as soon as possible because the police cannot be omniscient na alam namin lahat. Ang public’s cooperation and trust to the police is very vital,” he added. (FREEMAN)