Tourists assured of safe travel to Siargao Island despite Marawi City siege
By Mike Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – Officials of Surigao del Norte on Saturday assured the safe travel and stay of all tourists in the province, particularly in the “Paradise Island” of Siargao despite the ongoing clashes between government security forces and Maute group in Marawi City.
Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte Map (Photo courtesy of Google Map)
Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte Map (Photo courtesy of Google Map)
Officials of the province assured the same to all operators of tourism-related establishments in the province, saying that Marawi is “far from Caraga region”.
“Surigao del Norte is very peaceful and peace and order remains under control by all law enforcement agencies, especially by our military and police,” Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas told The Manila Bulletin.
“Flow of business is running normal and arrivals of tourists both foreign and domestic are still coming despite the recent declaration of martial law in Mindanao by President Duterte,” she said.
“We are on top of the situation with the support of the various peace and order councils locals continue with their daily routine and all efforts are being made to maintain peace and security,” she said.
She added that the province of Surigao del Norte was already declared by the Philippine Army as “insurgency-free” since 2015.
Meanwhile, the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) also told The Manila Bulletin that the peace and order condition of the whole region in northeastern Mindanao is relatively peaceful with no reported presence of terror group.
source:
news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/03/tourists-assur...e-marawi-city-siege/