Dauin Mayor Neil Credo assured town residents and tourists of their safety.
Credo said that despite rumors of sightings of Abu Sayyaf terrorists as early as two months ago, tourist arrivals in the municipality had increased, with average arrivals from 250 to 300 every day, mostly foreign nationals.
One foreign national even said Apo Island is the safest among the tourist destinations in the Visayas, especially after the incident in Bohol.
However, Mayor Credo is not taking chances with the municipality having its own so-called “sea warriors” on board a patrol boat manned by Police Environmental Desk Officers and some regular and job order employees of the municipality, aside from the contingents from the army, navy and the coast guard.
It has organized the fishermen and barangay officials along the coastal areas, and briefed them on the existing threat.
Likewise, the local chief executive has also established direct links to 30 more or less beach resorts in the municipality, for them to strengthen their inhouse security, implement the Dauin “First Policy” of hiring Dauinanons first in their resorts before outsiders.
This was precipitated by information, criminal elements including the ASG who is mobilizing spotters to work as cooks or waiters in resorts. Others are selling, peddling jewelries to be able to penetrate to the community.
Inspite of the report, an estimated crowd of 10,000 attended and graced an Easter Sunday party at the beach in mainland Dauin.
The cultural activity was allowed by the mayor at Poblacion District 2 in Dauin with live bands from 10 in the morning up to 11:00 in the evening on Sunday with no untoward incident reported.
Mayor Credo was amazed upon seeing foriengers and visitors having their photographs taken together with the locals.
The activity on Sunday dispels negative reports about the presence of ASG in the municipality, Mayor Credo pointed out. (PNA/jfp/Juancho Gallarde)
