The Department of Tourism (DOT) has assured foreign visitors that the Philippines remains safe to tourists as there is coordination between the tourism department and local law enforcement agencies.
The assurance was given by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat following the reported kidnapping incidents in the country mostly involving Chinese nationals involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities.
“We will not promote a place where we know it’s not safe.”
“Very much (safe). We will not promote a place where we know it’s not safe. Why? If something happens to even a single tourist, it destroys the whole Philippines. Hindi naman kasi nila nakikita, kunwari may nangyayari dito, akala nila buong Pilipinas na ‘yon (Some don’t see the whole picture, for example, something happened in one place, they conclude its the whole Philippines),” Romulo-Puyat told reporters during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum in Malate.
Romulo-Puyat said securing the safety and welfare of visiting foreigners in the country is at the top priority of relevant offices.
“We’re not only in touch with the PNP (Philippine National Police) but also the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the local government units. It is to our advantage to make sure that the tourists are safe so that when they come to a particular destination, they’re assured nothing bad will happen to them, that they are safe and secure,” the tourism chief added.
“The DOT has renewed its agreement with the PNP in adding tourist cops to be stationed in major travel destinations across the country.”
The tourism head stressed that the DOT has renewed its agreement with the PNP in adding tourist cops to be stationed in major travel destinations across the country.
A video showing a woman being dragged into a vehicle on Paseo de Roxas in Makati City has recently gone viral on social media. The Makati City Police Office is still investigating the incident and hinted that the alleged kidnappers maybe Chinese nationals.
From January to November this year, the PNP has reported a total of 43 kidnapping cases related to POGO casino debts have been recorded. The majority of those involved, both suspects and victims, were identified as Chinese nationals.
“I’m very confident when it comes to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP, police matters are with them. We always assure that our tourist cops in tourist destinations are there,” Romulo-Puyat said.
The latest data from the DOT showed that tourists from China in the first 10 months of 2019 have reached 1,499,524, making Chinese tourists the second top market of the country in terms of travel.