Palawan underground river safe for tourists despite US advisory

^PPUR

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) authorities assured tourists on Wednesday that security measures are in place and tourists police at all entry and exit points around the area of the world-famous underground river in Palawan are ready to secure the visitors.

PPSRNP Superintendent Elizabeth Maclang told GMA News Online that they have not received any threats by terrorist groups, and that the travel advisory issued by the US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday came as a surprise.

"Wala naman kaming natanggap na threat at na-surprise kami sa US advisory. Sa lahat ng panahon, naka-alert ang aming mga tourist police sa lahat ng entry at exit points, pati sa mga coastline along the underground river area may mga detachment kami," Maclang told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

In a statement sent to GMA News Online, PPSRNP officials said: "We have just received the information about the travel advisory ... instructing [US] citizens to exercise caution for a possible terrorist attack in areas within the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. We have already coordinated with the authorities both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police ... to be on heightened alert." 

"We are taking this information seriously as we always consider the safety and security of our guests and the community is of paramount concern," the statement signed by Maclang added.

The subterranean river is the top tourist destination in Palawan and US citizens dominate the number of daily arrivals.

"Naintindihan namin ang pangamba ng US Embassy dahil pinakamarami ang mga Amerikanong turista sa mga dumarating dito," she said in the earlier interview.

Maclang assured the tourists that the 22,000-hectare PPSRNP area is secured and there is nothing to worry about.

Also, she said that daily arrival of tourists is at 1,200. She feared that the advisory would have an effect. But so far, she added, "Wala pa namang nagpa-cancel ng reservation."

"Normal ang sitwasyon ngayon dito at naka-heightened alert ang ating mga tourist police, kasi na-single out ng advisory ang PPSRNP.

The United States Embassy in Manila on Tuesday warned Americans of terrorist groups' plan to conduct kidnappings in Palawan.

"The US Embassy has received credible information that terrorist groups may be planning to conduct kidnapping operations targeting foreign nationals in the areas of Palawan Province, Philippines, to include Puerto Princesa City, and the areas surrounding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park," the advisory said. —LBG, GMA News