BAUKO, Mountain Province – All tourism activities in this town are suspended while residents are warned from going to the mountains to ensure safety of everyone.
Mayor Abraham Akilit said the advisory was issued as a precaution to ensure the safety and security of all concerned citizens resulting from insurgency problem that is currently affecting the peace and order situation of the municipality.
“All residents and tourists are thereby called upon to observe and desist from conducting tourism and other related activities to include farming, especially in the mountainous areas of the municipality and to abstain from staying out late on the streets when not necessary,” Akilit stated.
He particularly warned residents especially those near the areas of conflict to exercise extreme precaution. He also reminded the public, particularly the youth, to follow the curfew.
Among the tourist areas temporarily closed are the Cotcot Aso, Nentingli, Spanish Trails, Toktok Allan, Layaan Burial Cave, Pangayapang Falls, and Mount Polis which is a famous trekking destination in the municipality.
Also closed is the Mount Kapuwaw in barangay Bagnen where the firefight started between members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Police Regional Office – Cordillera and alleged members of the New People’s Army last March 29. A police was killed while one was injured in said incident.
In the ensuing pursuit operation, a police corporal was killed and nine others were wounded when an improvised explosive device allegedly planted by the rebels at Mount Am-o between the area of Bauko and Tadian exploded in the evening of April 2.
The mayor is asking the cooperation of everyone in reporting to the proper authorities any suspicious persons or activities in their respective areas.
Bauko Councilor Ricky Samidan in a social media post said all roads going in and out of Bauko are all open including the road to Bontoc and Baguio City and the Tadian-Cervantes Road./(JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)