CEBU -- The Inter-agency Task Force Region-7 delivered a seminar on preventing and countering violent extremism last Friday, August 9, 2019, to the Sta. Fe Sports Complex in Bantayan Island Cebu.
The task force, led by Philippine Army's Col. Noel Baluyan talked to tourism from hotels, resorts, and restaurants association in Cebu province about being prepared for possible terrorist attacks by foreign entities.
As Sta. Fe Bantayan Island is home to one of the tourists-frequented beaches in the province, it is known to have numerous beach stops and resorts, famous spots and in fact, is now being dubbed as growing tourist haven, says its Mayor, Ithamar P. Espinosa.
He said records show the island is now flocked with an overwhelming volume of visitors.
With this, there is all the more reason to strengthen the security measures to be taken up to be able to protect locals and tourists alike, IATF-7 members stressed.
The seminar aimed at increasing the stakeholders’ awareness of terrorism, as well as educate and capacitate them on their roles to prevent violence.
Guest speakers from different agencies who are a part of the task force traveled from the city and the metro to share their lectures to the locals in Bantayan Island.
The guests included Emil Respeto from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency VII, Fayette Rinen from the Philippine Information Agency VII, Marlon Barrientos from the Department of Tourism VII, PLtCol Rene Kyamco from Cebu Police Provincial Office, Maricel Lim from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency VII, LtJG Michael Encina from the Philippine Coast Guard, and Major Melode Dooma Jr. from the Philippine Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).
EOD Major Dooma talked about how each stakeholder in every hotel and resort, and even various locals can play a critical role in countering insurgency. Dooma presented different tips of detecting bombs hidden or abandoned in public places, and also discussed the measures to be taken when such an event occurs.
Rinen from the Philippine Information Agency expressed the many dangers of the digital age through her talk with the responsible use of social media.
Fake news causing danger was one of the highlights of the talk with such news able to give the public the wrong notion and cause chaos.
Col. Baluyan, head of the task force, explained how the tourism industry goes hand in hand with the mandate of safety, as the primary driving force of tourists is the promise that in their travels, everything will be safe.
With this, the task force calls on all the stakeholders of the island’s hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other attractions, to always be vigilant and be equipped with the necessary precautionary measures to maintain the peace and order, not only in the island but the entire region, too. (smb/PIA7)
Stakeholders from hotels, resorts, and restaurants in Bantayan Island, Cebu listen to the lectures by different departments and agencies from the Anti/Counter-Terrorism Cluster of the Inter-Agency Task Force Region 7.
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