The Philippine National Police (PNP) has allayed fears of kidnapping in southern Cebu after the United States Embassy in Manila issued an advisory urging Americans to avoid travelling to some towns in Cebu.
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said there was no security threat in Dalaguete, Santander, and Sumilon Island contrary to the US advisory saying terrorists groups are planning to conduct kidnapping in the said areas.
READ: US: Dalaguete, Santander, Sumilon kidnap risk areas in southern Cebu
“There’s no report of threat on any nationality there pero ang aming (but our) intelligence units continually gather and validate any information,” Carlos said.
Last October, Central Visayas police revealed having received information about the presence of some members of Mindanao-based Abu Sayyaf Group in Cebu.
Six members of the bandit group, led by a certain Commander Messiah, reportedly arrived in Cebu last October to “abduct prominent personalities.”
Supt. Julian Entoma, chief of the regional intelligence division of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), alerted the public on possible terrorist attacks in the region, like bombing attacks in malls and other establishments.
READ: Sayyaf men ‘can reach as far as Metro Manila,’ warns Dela Rosa
PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also admitted that Abu Sayyaf terrorists freely roam in the country, some even reaching as far as Metro Manila.
The Abu Sayyaf members reportedly went to Negros Oriental from Dapitan, Zamboanga, then travelled to Cebu.