The recent kidnapping of two Canadian tourists, a
Norwegian resort manager and a Filipino woman from a popular resort island off
Davao City underscores once again the fragile peace and order situation in
southern Philippines.
The immediate impact of this latest kidnapping incident
is to discourage both local and foreign tourists from going to areas where
their safety cannot be guaranteed. Since we have been promoting travel and
tourism as a key component of our economic development program, this would no
doubt have an adverse impact on the government's tourism projections.
It’s not just tourists who are expected to shy away from
visiting Mindanao. Investors keen on setting up enterprises in our southern
shores will also think twice about putting their money in areas where they are
likely to be harassed or intimidated by criminal syndicates and armed rebels.
The government is engaged in a continuing peace process
with the Moro Islamc Liberation Front. Kidnapping incidents such as this also threaten the attainment of peace
in Mindanao that is the sine qua non for sustained economic growth and social
development in the entire island.
The government appears to be trying to downplay the
kidnapping as an isolated incident, which it is. We can expect the military and
the police to launch operations to go after the perpetrators and possibly
rescue the hostages unharmed, but these operations also contribute to the
public perception that the government is not in control of the situation.
Tourists and investors, not to mention residents, want to be safe from any
threats to their well-being.
We urge authorities to leave no stone unturned in
securing the freedom of the four hostages. Those responsible for this dastardly
act should be relentlessly pursued and placed behind bars where they
belong.
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