US-based journo cites Bohol’s ‘vulnerability to global terror’

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Bohol province, frequented by hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists, is one of the destinations in the world considered by a US-based journalist as a likely target for terroristic attacks.

"Attacks in Tunisia & Bali (I’d also add Bohol to this list) show that even tourist destinations are not off limits," said Ashley S. Westerman, a Manila-born journalist and producer now working for the National Public Radio (NPR).

NPR is a non-profit media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States, according to the organization's Wikipedia profile.

Westerman's sideline comment on Bohol's vulnerability to terror attacks is posted on her Twitter account @NPRashley in which she also shared an article by The New York Times entitled "Maldives, Tourist Haven, Casts Wary Eye on Growing Islamic Radicalism," written by Kai Schultz.

The article explores a shift of tourism policy of the Republic of Maldives concerning the safety of its foreign visitors, who can be targeted by Muslim radicals.

It points out that the government of Maldives has "introduced the country's first state policy on terrorism, calling for increased safety awareness at resorts and security assessments at seaports and in airports."

Westerman, in her Twitter posting, did not mention any other places in the Philippines, except Bohol, as possible target by Muslim radicals.

In April this year, Bohol battled out the intrusion of at least 11 members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which is internationally known for sowing terror acts including bombing and kidnap-for-ransom, victimizing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

The combined forces of the military, police, government, and civilians had foiled ASG's evil plot, first discovered in Inabanga town on April 11, and capped a month-long hot pursuit operation against the infiltrators with the death of the last two ASG bandits, in Pangangan Island, Calape town on May 15. (FREEMAN)