Central Visayas is ‘safe and peaceful’ –PRO-7

He said there is “neither a specific nor direct threat of kidnapping in Central Visayas.” (Photo: seav/ Wikipedia)

CEBU CITY–The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 on Monday said that Central Visayas is generally “safe and peaceful” as it activated “Oplan SumVac” (Summer Vacation) in the region.

The PRO-7 has jurisdiction over police forces in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

Chief Supt. Noli Talino, PRO-7 director, said all police forces in the region have been placed on full alert since the Sinulog festivities in Cebu City and the 2017 Miss Universe swimwear competition in Lapu-Lapu City in January.

Talino said the full alert status continued when Cebu hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit ministerial meetings from April 3 to 7.

Bohol is also set to host some ASEAN ministerial meetings from April 18 to 22.

Talino said they are not taking lightly the threats of kidnappings in the region.

He said there is “neither a specific nor direct threat of kidnapping in Central Visayas.”

The US Embassy in Manila posted on its website on Sunday a travel advisory asking its citizens to avoid travels to Cebu and Bohol because of threats of kidnapping in these Central Visayas provinces.

Talino said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have put in place an integrated security system for the region.

He said they have also coordinated with the owners, managers and security officers of malls, resorts, hotels and other establishments in the region regarding security matters.