A DAVAO Oriental tourism consultant clarified news reports on a New People's Army (NPA) clash with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park, saying it is farther uphill and away from the province's popular destination.
In a Facebook post of Cynthia Rodriguez, she said that there was in fact an NPA attack but it was in a “military detachment located not within the area of Aliwagwag but somewhere in (sitio) Odiongan which is a bit far from the Eco Park itself.”
She furthered that the AFP's 67th Infantry Battalion neutralized the attack in no time and no advisory on any danger in going to the Eco Park were released.
“Meaning, it is safe to visit the nature park. Mali po yong balita na sa Aliwagwag nangyari ang pag atake,” Rodriguez added.
She also shared that she, along with her batchmates, passed by the area on their way home from a reunion in Cateel on April 22 to 23 and claimed, "We did not notice any abnormal activities there.”
She then, advised the public to be careful in posting online especially if it involves sensitive topics.
In previous reports as released by Philippine News Agency, “rebels staged an attack at Aliwagwag Falls, one of the main tourist destinations in the province of Davao Oriental, at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday (April 23), an official said.”
As of Monday, 10th Infantry Division Spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar is still validating the location of the attack.
Being the Philippines' highest falls at 388 meters with 84 cascading falls, this tourist spot in Cateel, Davao Oriental has made significant contributions to the increase of tourist arrivals in the Davao Region.