DAYS before the Holy Week in 2017, the United States embassy issued a travel advisory to its citizens not to travel to southern Cebu and Mindanao because of the report that the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) would kidnap foreign tourists in these areas. An international convention was set to be held in Bohol at that time.
Cebu-based police and military officials claimed at that time that there was no terror threat and that Cebu and Central Visayas were generally safe and peaceful. Local government and tourism officials said the advisory created a negative impact on the tourism industry. They chided the US embassy for issuing such an advisory.
On April 11 (Monday) of that year, we were caught by surprise when police and military troops exchanged gunfire with heavily armed elements in Inabanga, Bohol. The armed men were later confirmed to be ASG members from western Mindanao. The ASG members, led by a Boholano who became a Muslim, landed in Inabanga undetected by the authorities. They came from Sulu on board motorized bancas. They planned to set up a base in the mountains of Inabanga for their operations in Central Visayas.
The clashes lasted for a week before the 10 ASG members were wiped out. Three soldiers, including a junior officer, and a policeman were killed. Some civilians were caught in the crossfire.The encounter came a week after the government downplayed a travel warning from the US embassy.
Recently, the United Kingdom (UK) issued a travel advisory to its citizens not to visit Mindanao and the southern part of Cebu because of a terrorist threat. This was in view of the recent bombing in a mall in Cotabato City wherein two persons were killed and scores were injured.
Why include the southern part of Cebu when the incident happened in Mindanao? The area is facing the Zamboanga peninsula and is accessible from Mindanao. It is also being frequented by tourists.
Police, military and even local government officials downplayed the UK travel advisory saying that there is no terror threat and that Cebu is peaceful and safe. When sought for comment, Gov. Hilario Davide III questioned the advisory. He said he spent his Christmas vacation with his family in the south and that the said areas were peaceful.
Why are these people complacent when it comes to the safety and security of foreign and local tourists? What if, God forbid, terrorist acts will happen? The more these would damage the image of the place, like what happened years ago to Dos Palmas in Palawan.
The police and military claimed the intelligence report gathered by the UK government was not thoroughly verified. But did our authorities thoroughly verify that intelligence report about those ASG members that landed in Bohol? Had they verified it thoroughly, they could have preempted the landing of the ASG in Inabanga.
The war against enemies of the State now is no longer confrontational. They adopt terrorist activities like bombings. They are like robbers in the night that strike anytime if given the chance. Kanus-a pa man ta manguros? Inigkaigo na nato sa kilat?