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Friday, April 13, 2007
Australia posts travel advice v. Cebu
By Mia E. Abellana
With Jovy S. Taghoy
CEBU CITY -- For the second time this year, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warned its citizens against traveling to Cebu.
“We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Cebu Province. Australians should avoid locations known to be targeted by terrorists, such as places of worship, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bars, clubs, outdoor markets and transport and associated infrastructure,” read an advisory posted on its website Thursday.
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The last time the Australian Government advised its citizens against traveling to Cebu was during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit last January.
They also cited “reliable information” that terrorists were in the final stage of planning attacks to disrupt the summit.
“We continue to receive credible reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Some reports suggest that terrorists could target sites in Metro Manila, Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago, and Cebu Province. If you do decide to travel, you should exercise extreme caution when you are in the Philippines,” the advisory read.
Acting Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Carmelo Valmoria said they have not received any report of planned attacks by terrorists.
In a separate interview, Acting CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador echoed Valmoria’s statement that they have not received any report of possible terrorist targets.
Comendador said even during their security preparations for the Lenten Week, where a heightened alert status was in place, they did not receive such report.
Asked if the New People’s Army (NPA) could be the terrorist group being referred to in the advisory, Valmoria said he also has not heard of planned atrocities by the NPA.
The NPA is included in the international list of terrorist groups.
“But we will not discount the possibility, considering it is the election period,” Valmoria said.
He said, though, that the NPA or “communist terrorists” have not been able to stage attacks of the same magnitude as the Muslim extremists.
Valmoria told reporters that the activities they have monitored involving the NPA were alleged collections of permit to campaign fees and guarantees of political victory in their strongholds.
He said that a similar advisory was released during the 12th Asean Summit but the police maintained that there were no reports of any attack.
The summit ended without any violent incident after at least five countries issued advisories to their citizens warning against travel to Cebu.
“There is nothing to worry about but everybody must still be vigilant,” Valmoria said.
For his part, Provincial Intelligence Branch Chief Juanito Enguerra said the NPA was visible in the northern part of Cebu.
Aside from soliciting funds in the form of permit to campaign fees, Enguerra said the NPA is also campaigning for party-list groups.
Police units are patrolling the northern area of the province after sightings of NPA rebels were reported.
Enguerra said this may have been the basis for the Australian Government’s assessment of the security here.
Aside from the presence of NPA rebels, Enguerra said they are also looking into reports that armed groups will be utilized for the elections. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (April 13, 2007 issue)
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