Cops to act on reports of extortion of tourists

Cebu police authorities are now coordinating with their counterparts in Leyte to act on reports that a group of armed men has been extorting tourists visiting beach resorts in northern Cebu and nearby islets.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria said they are coordinating with the Leyte police after receiving the reports about the illegal activities of the group.

Valmoria said he had received the report from the officials of Daanbantayan asking assistance to stop the illegal activities of the armed men, who are collecting “tongs” from tourists visiting the Calanggaman islet, which is part of Palompon, Leyte.

Although most of the tourists visiting Calanggaman islet are from Malapascua Island of Daanbantayan, Calanggaman islet is already outside the jurisdiction of the Cebu as it is already belongs to Leyte.

“Ang buhaton namo ana mao nga makig-coordinate mi sa among counterpart sa Leyte pinaagi sa regional office. Basta kay duna mi’y buhaton nga aksyon ana,” Valmoria said.

Daanbantayan tourism officer Greg Rubio, who is also a news correspondent of The FREEMAN, reported that there were several tourists who had been victimized by the extortionists.

Rubio said dive masters have complained to him that their clients had been victimized by the armed men who asked P300 from every pumpboat docking at Calanggaman islet.

The dive masters are afraid that if the illegal activities at Calanggaman islet will continue, tourists will no longer visit the northern part of Cebu. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)