‘RP is world’s safest tourist destination’

Believe it or not, the Philippines is one of the world’s safest tourist destinations.

That’s according to Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, who gave assurances yesterday on the safety of foreign and local tourists despite the series of bomb scares that has gripped Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

He said there is nothing to fear in visiting the various tourist destinations in the country because authorities are exerting all efforts to ensure the safety of travelers.

Gordon said the bomb scares that hit Metro Manila and at least two key cities in Mindanao last week were "walang katuturan at wala namang nasaktan (senseless and no one was hurt)."

Bomb threats and peace and order problems notwithstanding, Gordon insisted that the Philippines remains one of the safest tourist destinations worldwide.

Gordon noted there was only one tourist who died in those much publicized kidnappings in Mindanao — American national Guillermo Sobero, who was abducted and beheaded by Abu Sayyaf rebels — while hundreds of people died following terrorist attacks in other countries.

"(Foreign) embassies issue advisories against traveling to the Philippines based on news reports that are coming out, but the truth is that our tourist destinations are perfectly safe to visit," Gordon said, adding that various government agencies and the private sector have joined hands to heighten security for tourists and guests.

Gordon nonetheless conceded that reports on bomb scares may adversely affect efforts of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to reach its goal of drawing three million foreign visitors into the country this year.

DOT has embarked on a multibillion-peso promotion campaign to boost the falling tourism industry, Gordon said, but the efforts could come to naught because of negative publicity.

The local tourism industry is improving but is still fragile, and it may take three to five years before the sector can fully recover, Gordon also said.

"But what is important is that it is now improving and we are doing everything to make it better," he said.

In fact, Gordon said DOT is expecting a boom in local tourism with more and more people expected to visit the provinces to take advantage of the extended holidays declared by Malacañang.

Based on reports coming from the different DOT regional offices, Gordon said, most hotels and resorts in Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos and Boracay island are now fully booked.

He said domestic tourism is now beating the Balikbayan market, prompting the DOT to focus on programs promoting local tourism.

‘Safe summer holidays’

"So far, so good."

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza gave this remark when asked about his initial assessment of police preparedness in securing tourists and vacationers, who started to troop to the provinces yesterday for the observance of Holy Week.

"Through the vigilance of the PNP and other partner agencies of government, we can assure everyone a safe and secure Holy Week and summer holiday," Mendoza said.

He cited in particular the two incidents in Manila and Makati City where alert police patrols intercepted armed men reportedly out to create trouble.

He said that alert elements of the Traffic Enforcement group of the National Capital Region Police Office shot a certain Dexter Salas in a chance encounter in Makati City yesterday morning.

Salas commandeered a taxicab while holding hostage a certain Sheryll Torres at the Guadalupe interchange. Salas kept the policemen at bay with a 9-mm. pistol and was hurt when he engaged lawmen in a gunfight.

In another incident, members of the Western Police District mobile patrol intercepted early yesterday morning a car without license plates in Sta. Ana, Manila. The man was later identified as an alleged agent of the National Bureau of Investigation.

When accosted the driver fired at the lawmen, triggering a shootout that left one of the responding policemen and the suspect killed. The driver’s female companion was also found fatally wounded in the passenger seat.

"These incidents only show that the police remain alert and vigilant to protect and serve the community," said PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina.

The PNP has activated a 75-day summer alert, from March 25 to June 7, placing all police forces in the country under a high state of vigilance to provide assistance and security to tourists and vacationers.

Espina said the 75-day period covers the traditional observance of annual religious and cultural activities in various regions of the country. These include Holy Week, town fiestas, "Flores de Mayo" and such summer activities as the closing and opening of schoolyear.

"There is a possibility that criminal elements and organized threat groups may take advantage of the situation, but the PNP is prepared to respond to any contingency," Espina said. — With Christina Mendez