By Gail Momblan/PNA
ILOILO CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said tourists can now enjoy normal activities in mountainous tourist spots of southern Iloilo.
Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB), said the Army lifted its advisory for tourists to avoid mountainous spots in the towns of Igbaras, Miagao, and San Joaquin in Iloilo province on April 2.
The Army on March 27 advised tourists to avoid going to tourist attractions in the mountains as part of its preventive measures for the 50th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) on March 29.
Magbalot anticipated that the rebels will mark their celebrations with atrocities and harassment of AFP detachments.
The AFP aimed to protect tourists being caught in crossfires as series of clashes occurred in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17; Barangay Osorio-2 in San Remegio, Antique on March 19; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Lacay Doldol, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 20; and the latest encounter on Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo on March 24.
“But now we are done with our operations in these areas and we can now encourage tourists to do their normal activities in the mountain tourist spots. We are now doing security operations, not the pursuit operations that we did previously,” Magbalot said in an interview on Tuesday.
He anticipates that local tourists will make time to enjoy the mountains of Iloilo especially with the celebration of the Holy Week in the third week of April.
“We understand that tourists will take their leave and enjoy outdoor activities and we assure that we will secure them,” he added.
Magbalot said that his previous reminder to tourists was discussed among the concerned local government units. He said he will coordinate with the municipal mayors that the reminder has been lifted.
Magbalot also noted that municipal mayors in the mentioned local government units had been supportive of government troops.
These areas include Kabugsokan Falls in Barangay Dalije and Tinagong Dagat in Barangay Ongyod in Miag-ao; and Mt. Opao and Mt. Napulak in Igbaras attract tourists during Holy Week, Miagao Municipal Mayor Macario Napulan said in previous interviews.
