Chinese tourists not affected by killings

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the series of unresolved killings, the Chinese Consulate for the Visayas expressed that it has not discouraged Chinese tourists from visiting Cebu.

Chinese Consul General Shi Yong said they are closely coordinating with the regional office of the Philippine National Police.

In the past two years, police records usually show Chinese tourists being robbed. Yong said that Chinese tourists are still safe in Cebu as they were not subjects of “big crimes” such as the unresolved shooting incidents.

“Luckily, no attack or no killing against Chinese tourist so far for the last two years,” said.

He also joined the call for the Philippine government to “control” and manage the situation for the safety of both the locals and tourists.

“I hope the local government could control these killing cases so it will not affect tourism,” he continued.

Based on their data, the Chinese arrivals have drastically increased last year.

“In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Region 7 reach 430,000, four times more than the number in 2015,” Yong said in his speech in Oslob town yesterday.

Tourism is one of the primary means of livelihood in some areas of Cebu like in Oslob town. With Chinese topping the arrivals, livelihood is set to be affected if this major “customer” pulls out of the market.

Oslob town Mayor Jun Tumulak shared that with the international tourists, their town earns at least P1 million in a day.

In Cebu City, to contribute to the peace and order situation, Mayor Tomas Osmeña encouraged all Cebuanos to install dash cameras on their vehicles. 

The mayor said he will look for budget to subsidize the installation of the dash cameras for those who are willing to heed his request. 

“In addition to helping report traffic violations, you will contribute greatly to peace and order. A moving camera that is always on is a great deterrent,” he said in his post on his official Facebook page. 

Osmeña has already issued a statement that the city is no longer safe because of the series of killings here. 

Sought for comment, Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma welcomes the pronouncement of the mayor as the police force needs the support from the community. 

“Ang maganda lang dyan, pag na-capture, it helps us solve the crime. Provide us the copy and dapat willing kayo mag-testify kasi kahit nabigyan mo kami ng copy, kung walang mag-testify na ikaw, we can’t use the video as evidence,” she said. 

Garma also urged the community to help the police in the investigation amidst the spate of killings around Metro Cebu. Garma appealed to private individuals who may have witnessed one of the crimes committed to show up and cooperate.

 “Indispensable ang community support when you talk about crime solution. Kaya nanawagan ako, if gusto niyo i-solve ang krimen, and you are a witness, please come forward. Provide us information,” Garma said.

She said this after the business sector expressed their alarm over the spate of killings in Cebu.

She said ever since she assumed post on July, she has fielded more policemen in the streets.

“Sa mga businesses, kaya nga I am deploying more policemen sa mga streets para makita nila na they are safe and secured. If there are crimes na mangyayari, police are easier to locate and respond because they are covering areas na vital. So padayon lang gyud nila ilang negosyo, I think peaceful naman, the killings, we are trying our best to solve,” she said.

In a separate development, a new Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) chief will assume post today.

Superintendent Lito Patay, a native of Siquijor, and a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Kapanalig Class of 1997, was Garma’s classmate.

Patay’s leadership skills were honed in Davao Del Norte where he worked for almost 12 years.

“He used to be assigned in Davao for almost 12 years, nag Chief-of-Police, humawak din ng mobile force, and na-assign sa Manila, around Quezon City,” Garma said.

She also said that Patay is from his previous assignment in Police Regional Office (PRO-3) as regional chief of CIDG in San Fernando Pampanga.

Based on a Reuters report on December 2017, Patay is known to be one of the “Davao Boys” that President Rodrigo Duterte brought with him when he assumed as President in 2016.

Patay was assigned previously in Quezon City Station 6 or Batasan police station.

 He received the order assigning him to CIDG-7 last week and he is expected to officially assume office today.

Garma said she has trust that her classmate is fit for his new unit, especially now that CCPO will not handle the investigation into the murder and attempted murder case filed against Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog and his driver William Macaslang Jr.

 “Nag hands-off na ako sa case, because I know it will be sensational, and CIDG which is non-partisan and does not answer to any local chief executive, will take charge. I know he (Patay) will do his job,” she said. — MBG  (FREEMAN)