EDITORIAL - A product of incompetence

The business sector is urging the authorities to solve the series of killings in Cebu as it will only scare away traders. Local business leaders said many traders may find the province no longer conducive to business and will instead relocate to other areas, thinking Cebu is no longer safe.

They hope the police will immediately find a solution to the daily occurrences of murder across the province before it’s too late. This alarming problem, according to them, will also take a toll on the bustling local tourism industry.

Cebu attracts hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists annually. With the closure of Boracay over some environmental concerns, more visitors will find Cebu as the best alternative given its accessibility. Aside from being the country’s top tourist destination, Cebu is also a popular gateway to other destinations in Central Visayas, being home to a major airport and seaports.  

Now, with the daily occurrence of killings, businessmen are now pushing the alarm button, fearing Cebu’s damaged peace and order image could seriously affect its attractiveness with potential investors opting to look for other alternative areas.

Well, the killings are not only happening in Cebu. They have become a national trend since President Rodrigo Duterte pulled the trigger to signal his flagship program against the country’s worsening illegal drug trade.

And it’s not only in Cebu where the business sector raised concerns over the unabated killings. Manila businessmen have long been urging authorities to heighten their drive against crimes, which are only harming the economy.

Yes the authorities need to assure the people that everyone’s safety is their top priority and that they still call the shots as far as peace and order is concerned. They should not wait for the public to lose trust and confidence in them believing the continued killings are a product of their incompetence.