CEBU CITY — Dapitan City is safe and secure.
A top military officer from Singapore said this when Dapitan, a top tourist destination in the Zamboanga Peninsula, hosted the 2nd Semester Foreign Armed Forces Attaché (FAFA) Corps Tour from October 6 to 9.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, under Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., along with Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Major Gen. Ferdinand Barandon and Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) commander Major Gen. Steve Crespillo, spearheaded the holding of the tour that aimed to inform the FAFA Corps about the current security situation in the country.
The tour was participated in by 16 defense attachés and assistant defense attachés and secretaries from Australia, Brunei, China, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, Germany, and Poland.
“I think there's been not a shade of doubt that this is a very safe and secure place for all of us to come here and enjoy the beauty of this place. Dapitan is a hidden gem that not many people speak about in the Philippines. We've spoken about El Nido, of course, Coron, and Boracay. But I think Dapitan City is very undermined, and it should rise to the top," Singaporean Defense Attaché to the Philippines and Dean of FAFA Corps Col. Geajaindren Mariapan said during their historical tour of the Museo ni Rizal sa Dapitan or Rizal Shrine.
Dapitan Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos welcomed the FAFA Corps.
During the FAFA Corps’ courtesy call, Jalosjos underscored the city’s reputation for having a low crime rate.
Jalosjos also promoted the city’s tranquil ambiance and hospitable community.
"It has been a wonderful experience so far, both in terms of safety and in terms of hospitality and cultural experience. After this, we will be learning about how Dapitan and Zamboanga (del Norte) as a whole will move forward in the economic sense of things, and at the same time, we will also be learning about how the Wesmincom is doing its part in the military aspect to boost the economy in this area," Mariapan added.
The city hosted the tour days after the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution declaring Dapitan, known as the “Shrine City of the Philippines,” as a haven for international and domestic tourists.
The city has been identified as one of the premier eco-tourism and heritage destinations in Zamboanga del Norte and is soon to be part of its product-added value under its proposed tourism masterplan as “Smart Heritage City.”
“Dapitan City is the perfect destination for those seeking an adventure into the great outdoors. This charming city offers an abundance of eco-tourism activities, including stunning white sand beaches, thrilling caves, and majestic mountain ranges that will take your breath away,” City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong said.
“The city boasts of a unique historical and cultural heritage, being the home of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, for four years during his exile, the tangible relief map of Mindanao personally designed by Dr. Rizal himself, as well as some heritage structures erected along the Rizal’s Train and Old Dapitan,” she said.
“The cultural elements of it – being able to immerse ourselves in where the hero of this country, Jose Rizal, stayed and actually experience his life over here – have been quite humbling, very inspiring for us, and really something that we can cherish and take away when we go back to our countries. This has been very special for us," Mariapan said.