DOT Zamboanga: Murders of fishermen an isolated incident

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Department of Tourism regional office in Zamboanga expects fewer visitors after the massacre of fishermen near 11 Islands, a potential tourist attraction near the city.
 
Tourism regional director Antonio Fernando Blanco said they are addressing the possible effects that the execution of eight fishermen last Monday night off Siromon Island may have on arrivals. Siromon is among the 11 Islands.
 
“Definitely, it will have a negative effect on the islands,” Blanco told media here.
 
But Blanco said the bloody incident was an isolated case and and some of the suspects have already been arrested. Security in the area has also been beefed up for the visitors' safety.
 
He said the incident has already dampened tourism, but that as long as the tourists who do go to the islands are safe, it will be open to the public. 
 
“This was an isolated incident and we would like to treat it as such.”
 
He said visitors have even been calling him to arrange trips to the island despite the incident.
 
Police Superintendent Felix Martinez, head of the special investigating body on the case, said two suspects have been arrested. He disclosed that the suspects are members of local extortion groups that preyed on the fisherfolk in the area.
 
Martinez said they already have leads on the rest of the suspects.
 
Blanco said the tourism officer will organize regular planned tours to the 11 Islands saying the frequency and presence of people will deter outlaws from making the area its staging site.
 
“Island tour concept to recover and bounce back from the negative effect,” Blanco said.
 
“We will not allow the incident to spoil the gains in tourism,” Blanco added saying that Sta. Cruz Island had even experienced a sharp increase in local and foreign visitors.
 
Sta. Cruz Island, which is more than two nautical miles south of this city, is listed as sixth among the beaches with pink sand around the world.
 
“We have Sta. Cruz Island and Malamawi island of Isabela City, Basilan, which are beautiful beaches to be discovered by tourists. A lot of us have discovered 11 11 Islands,” Blanco said.