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 Coming
soon: Abu Sayyaf guerrillas as tourist guides in what could be a
"Survivor" series in Mindanao.
This novel idea was broached yesterday by Tourism Secretary
Richard Gordon, who said he intends to "convert"
members of the notorious bandit group and prod them toward more
productive pursuits.
"I’ll make them part of tourism promotion in Minda-nao,"
said Gordon, referring to the marketing program of the
Department of Tourism (DOT).
Gordon said Abu Sayyaf members carry out illegal activities,
such as kidnapping for ransom, in order to provide for their
families.
His position virtually supported apprehensions of Foreign
Secretary Blas Ople that poverty could give rise to more
terrorism in Mindanao.
One of the most infamous capers of the Abu Sayyaf was the raid
on Dos Palmas resort in Palawan on May 27 last year, in which
the bandits abducted 20 Filipinos and foreigners, including a US
missionary couple. The crisis ended only last June with the
deaths of American hostage Martin Burnham and Filipina nurse
Edibora Yap, and the rescue of Burnham’s wife Gracia.
Thirteen months before the Dos Palmas caper, a faction of the
Abu Sayyaf also raided the island resort of Sipadan in Malaysia.
The victims, from several countries, were held ties in Sulu.
Gordon, however, believes that if the Abu Sayyaf have the chance
to work legally, they would definitely cease and desist from
their kidnapping-for-ransom, beheading, and other unsavory
activities.
As part of the government’s effort to enhance investment
opportunities and improve the tourism industry, the DOT and
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) agreed to grant tax
discounts to tourism development zones and tourism estates,
which are also called "tourism economic zones."
Gordon said DOT would also support the establishment and
operations of viable, world-class and environment friendly
economic zones in suitable and strategic locations specifically
in the countryside.
In addition, Gordon noted that the tourism enterprise zone would
also provide a "one-stop shop" to facilitate
investment and eliminate costly, long drawn-out and confusing
processing.
"It will make investing easier and lower the cost of
uncertainty of interaction," he said.
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