AMID mounting criticisms nationwide over her supposed security breach, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan said her disclosure of the missile storage facility project at the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) base in Barangay Looc was done only for the sake of transparency.
Chan told reporters on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, that the groundbreaking ceremony was publicly announced to maintain openness about her projects, while the project tarpaulin that bore photos of her, her husband, Rep. Junard “Ahong” Chan, and other local officials was meant to show accountability.
“I think it is a given that because we have an air base here and a Navforcen here. We are a (military) target. That is reality,” said Chan adding that the air and sea assets provide sufficient defenses and armed capabilities to protect the people.
The issue arose after social media posts questioned Chan’s move to publicize the facility, with critics warning it could pose security risks and make Lapu-Lapu City more vulnerable to attacks.
According to a media release posted on Facebook, the facility’s groundbreaking ceremony was held on Feb. 21, attended by local officials and Navforcen. The post has now been removed.
Netizens argued that military storage facilities, particularly those housing weapons or missiles, should not be publicly disclosed, as revealing their existence or location could provide useful intelligence to the country’s adversaries.
Netizens also labeled Cindi Chan’s announcement of the facility’s construction as “epal” (a show-off). They said announcing it to the public does not enhance public safety as certain information should remain confidential.
Chan, however, maintained she has done nothing wrong and that if there had been any threats to security or breach in confidentiality, Navforcen would have already reprimanded the Lapu-Lapu City Government.
SunStar Cebu reached out to Navforcen for an official statement, but it had not responded to the request as of press time. / DPC