Police intensify security in Cebu

CEBU CITY—Police beefed up security in the holiday destination of Cebu yesterday after the US Embassy warned its citizens that a “terrorist” group purportedly planned kidnappings there.

The travel advisory was issued in response to comments made to media by the regional police that said six Abu Sayyaf rebels were in Cebu, an island popular for diving and racy nightlife but  far from the Islamist group’s stronghold in the south.

But presidential assistant for Visayas, Michael Lloyd Dino, said that south Cebu remained safe for travelers as he challenged the Embassy to substantiate its claim.

“I am in close coordination with the police authorities in the region. The police have assured me that they do not have any verified reports about the alleged threats,” Dino said.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño maintained that the police had not monitored any terrorist threats in Central Visayas even as he said the US Embassy warning was being validated.

No specific threats

“We have no specific threats in the region so far,”  he told reporters, But he said he had coordinated with the military’s Central Command, the coast guard and other agencies to intensify security measures in crowded areas such as hotels, resorts, beaches and tourist destinations.

The advisory, issued on Thursday, warned Americans against traveling to the towns of Dalaguete and Santander and Sumilon Island in Oslob town. It said “terrorist groups are planning to conduct kidnappings” in these areas.

“US citizens should avoid travel to these areas and are reminded to review personal security plans; remain aware of their surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates.  Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security,” it said.

But Dino said that the towns mentioned in the advisory remained “generally peaceful.”

“The areas stated in the travel warning are secured and safe. The situation is normal and the tourists continue to enjoy the sights and the beautiful destinations undisturbed,” Dino said.

Taliño said the advisory may have been issued following an earlier report that members of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group were in Cebu. That report turned out to be false.

Lt. Col. Luzmindo Mamaug Jr., spokesperson of the Cebu City-based Central Command, said all security units had been alerted as he called on the public to “closely coordinate with the security forces to deter any threat groups from initiating hostile action that could harm people’s lives.”

Police last month said they received intelligence reports from their counterparts in Zamboanga City that six members of the Abu Sayyaf group were in Cebu, led by a certain Commander Alhabsi Misaya.

Photographs of Misaya were immediately disseminated to malls and other business establishments to avert trouble. But police later said it was a false alarm.

Not taking any chances

In Manila, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said authorities were not taking any chances.

“The PNP commanders at various levels have taken the necessary steps to harden or protect possible targets,” Abella said in a statement. “There was indeed a police report regarding the plan to stage a kidnapping in southern Cebu. The report is in the process of being validated.”

President Duterte has deployed some 10,000 troops to Jolo to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf, which continue to hold a number of foreign hostages.

It is believed to have netted tens of millions of dollars in ransom money in recent years, helping it to entrench its network and buy modern weapons.

The Abu Sayyaf are holding Malaysians, Filipinos, Indonesians and a Netherlands national. —WITH REPORTS FROM JEROME ANING, LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE IN MANILA AND REUTERS, AFP