SECURITY BRIEFING. Governor Hilario Davide III leads the coordination meeting among tourism officers, representatives from different local government units (LGUs) in southern Cebu, the Cebu Police Office and the Central Command, following the travel advisory issued by the United Kingdom to its residents against traveling to Mindanao and south of Cebu due to possible threats. (Photo courtesy of Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong)
CEBU CITY -- Cebu remains safe for local and foreign tourists, the police in the province has assured Governor Hilario Davide Jr.
Tourism officers from different cities and municipalities in Cebu province on Wednesday met with the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and the Central Command (Centcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to discuss the province’s security situation following the United Kingdom’s issuance of a travel advisory for southern Cebu and Mindanao.
Provincial Capitol information officer Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong said the provincial government headed by Davide hosted the security briefing at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
In the briefing, Chief Insp. Florendo Fajardo, CPPO Planning and Operations head, assured Davide that security measures are in place to keep the entire Cebu safe for tourists.
In a statement obtained by Philippine News Agency, the police however, asked the public to remain vigilant.
“We are not discounting the possibilities of threats and with the number of tourist influx especially during Sinulog and upcoming summer season, we will always beef up our security measures and double our vigilance against lawless elements,” Fajardo said in the statement.
Col. Noel Baluyan, Centcom Task Force Cebu commander, agreed with police that Cebu is a safe place for travel.
According to him, members of the AFP have been deployed across the province to beef up security, even in the absence of travel advisory from abroad.
Davide, for his part, said he is thankful that the police and the military are there to make Cebu safe not only for tourists but for the residents as well.
The governor, however, said: “We have to be very watchful.”
Davide said intelligence gathering of the police and the military could be bolstered by tapping barangay workers as well as the communities.
During the Fiesta Señor press briefing at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño priory on Tuesday, Chief Supt. Dennis Agustin, Central Visayas deputy director, told local media that while there is no imminent threat in Cebu in time for the celebration of the 2019 Sinulog Festival and the Fiesta Señor, it is appropriate to take precautionary measures to ensure a peaceful province.
"We may be inconvenienced, but it is for the security and safety of the greater majority," Agustin said, adding that they are confident that the National Telecommunications Commission in Central Visayas will implement a signal a shutdown on Jan. 19-20, when locals and visitors converge in this city for the annual celebration in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.
Senior Supt. Royima Garma, Cebu City Police Office director, said the police is monitoring "new faces" who may have come from Mindanao who may disturb the peaceful conduct of Sinulog.
"We are continuously coordinating with the intelligence community. We are monitoring the areas that will be filled with people," she said.
Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito Costas and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. joined representatives from different cities and municipalities of Cebu in the security briefing.
It can be recalled that the southern part of Cebu, including the municipalities of Badian and Dalaguete, were included in the travel advisory issued by the Foreign Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom last December 31.
The advisory which was updated on Jan. 9, said: “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands) and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian, due to the threat of terrorism.” (PNA)
