Magpale: Cebu doesn't need abusive tourists

CEBU, Philippines - Vice-governor Agnes Magpale said Cebu does not need abusive tourists like the two Chinese journalists who were deported the other day following a mid-flight altercation with the brother-in-law of President Benigno Aquino III.

Magpale, who chairs the committee on tourism and international affairs in the Provincial Board, dismissed apprehensions that the incident might send a wrong signal to the tourists who are coming to Cebu.

“Kay daghan na kunong ma-discourage na muari ug Cebu. Niingon pud ko, ug mao man lang sad na nga klase sa mga turista nga muabusar sa atong mga kababayin-an ug atong mga kabataan, wa na ‘na nato sila kinahanglana. In the same manner, who will protect our own people from very abusive tourists?” Magpale said.

Several foreigners were being charged in Cebu for cases of child abuse, child trafficking and pornography.

“While we are promoting vigorously Cebu as a destination, we will not allow abusive tourists. Dili na mahimo, tungod lang na naninguha ta nga daghan kaayong mubisita nato,” Magpale said.

Magpale said it was not right for the two Chinese journalists to attack Eldon Cruz, husband of Presidential sister Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz.

“The Chinese nationals were (mis)behaving, according to the newspaper account and even to the would-be witnesses of Cruz, ngil-ad jud ang gibuhat atong mga Chinese,” she added.

The Bureau of Immigration has already blacklisted Chinese journalists Han Yan and a certain Mailiyasi. The two were part of the 12 Chinese journalists invited by the Department of Tourism to promote Cebu. However, on their way to Cebu from Manila a mid-air incident occurred between them and Cruz.

The 12 were initially held by the airport police upon arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport last Saturday. The 10 other journalists were later released but not until after over seven hours of investigation.

According to the report, Cruz requested the foreigners to be careful not to hit anyone as they started to become noisy and rowdy inside the cabin. Resenting Cruz’s gesture, the Chinese tourist reportedly grabbed him by the collar and later stepped on his foot. (FREEMAN)