GMA: Rebels driving away tourists

TACLOBAN CITY — President Arroyo called on the Visayans to bring about a "culture of tourism," saying it is not the military’s anti-insurgency campaign in Eastern Visayas that is driving away the tourists, but the communist rebels.

"It is the insurgency problem that is driving away our tourists, not the counter-insurgency campaign of the government," Mrs. Arroyo said during a press briefing at the airport here before he left for Manila Saturday.

The President’s statement appeared to be in support of the anti-insurgency efforts of Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, commander of the Army unit based in Catbalogan, Samar, who has lately been the subject of criticisms by local militant groups.

Mrs. Arroyo was in Guiuan, Eastern Samar Saturday to keynote the closing ceremony of the three-day Visayas Business Conference held at a resort on Calicoan Island. She also inaugurated a coconut processing plant in Hernani town. — Miriam Garcia Desacada