EDITORIAL - A risky gamble?

Following the killing of a British national last week, beach operators on Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town said security guards assigned to resorts around the island should no longer be allowed to carry firearms. 

During a recent public hearing, resort owners all agreed to bar their security guards from carrying guns to prevent violent incidents. However, to augment the security of tourists, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the Capitol will push for the deployment of more policemen to the island.   

The move came after British dive master Anthony Gilchrist was shot and killed by a security guard of his resort when he reportedly scolded the latter for always reporting for work late. 

Although, it was the first incident of its kind in the area, resort operators feared that it would greatly affect tourist arrivals to the white sand island.

At first glance, it seems odd to think how such an idea of deploying unarmed security guards would work in a resort. For many, the move would likely be a risky gamble on the part of resort owners since tourists regard security as their foremost priority. 

However, in one way, those resort owners have a point. For them, there's no longer a need to arm their security guards because the famous island has always been safe for tourists.

Since Malapascua Island has turned into Cebu's leading destination, police have never recorded any violent incident involving tourists. Until the recent shooting of the British national, visitors have been generally satisfied with its peace and order.     

But logic dictates that the move to deploy unarmed guards must be compensated with the heightened police presence in the area. Policemen are more trained and could easily understand every situation.

Malapascua is just a small island. And resort owners there understand that the sight of any armed security guard roaming around their property is no longer inviting for tourists, especially after the recent shooting incident.